Cheese and Vegetable Pasta Bake

Categories: Main Dishes, Casseroles

Yield: 6

Make macaroni and cheese more memorable with vegetables and ham.

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups rotini or other medium-sized pasta (4 oz) - 1 kg pkg frozen mixed vegetables, Italian style - 3 cups grated Cheddar cheese (12 oz) - 1 1/2 cups cubed cooked ham or cooked sausage - optional (approx. 8 oz) Sauce: - 1/4 cup butter - 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour - 4 cups milk, hot - 1 1/2 tsp salt or more to taste - 1/2 tsp each of pepper, cayenne and nutmeg Topping: - 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta. Cook 5 minutes. Add frozen vegetables. Cook 5 minutes longer. Drain very well. Combine with cheddar cheese. Add cooked ham or sausage. Reserve. Prepare sauce by melting butter in a medium sized saucepan. Add garlic. Cook until fragrant but not brown, about one minute. Whisk in flour. Cook 3 minutes. Whisk in milk. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Add seasonings. Cook 5 minutes. Combine sauce with pasta and vegetable mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Transfer pasta mixture to a buttered 9 inch by 13 inch baking dish or 3 quart shallow casserole. Combine breadcrumbs with cheese and butter. Sprinkle over the pasta mixture. Bake, uncovered, in a preheated 350F oven for 30 minutes. Preparation time: 25 minutes. Cooking time: 30 minutes.

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