💡 At a Glance
- The Dish: A comforting pasta bake loaded with savory ham, a rich creamy sauce, and a bubbly golden cheese crust.
- The Prep: The luscious sauce cooks right in your Thermomix® and gets poured straight over raw pasta.
- Time-Saver: Perfect for busy weeknights since you skip pre-boiling the pasta entirely!
Creamy Ham & Cheese Pasta Bake: With a golden, bubbly cheese crust and a rich, savory sauce, this cozy bake is a guaranteed hit with the whole family.
You’ll love the ultimate combination of tender pasta, savory ham, and gooey melted cheese—it’s pure comfort food at its finest.
In my simple step-by-step recipe, I’ll show you how effortless it is to whip up a mouthwatering homemade Thermomix® Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake in no time at all!
This Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake is:
- Super delicious and budget-friendly.
- Pure comfort food that satisfies with every single bite.
- Great as a hearty main dish or a satisfying side.
- Quick to whip up—perfect for busy weeknights.
- A total classic recipe you’ll want in your weekly meal rotation.
- Rich, savory, and creamy—a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- A go-to choice for a dinner that’s simple yet completely satisfying.
My Top Tips for Making the Best Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake
Let the pasta bake rest for a few minutes before serving. This gives it a chance to cool down slightly, set up nicely (which makes serving so much easier!), and lets all those delicious flavors meld together.
Garnish your ham and pasta bake with fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives right before serving for a bright pop of color and freshness.
Serve it up as a satisfying main dish alongside a simple crisp salad, or pair it as a cozy side with your favorite protein.
Can I Make This Pasta Bake Ahead of Time?
You sure can! In fact, it makes fantastic leftovers. Once baked, just store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh for 2 to 3 days.
Want to freeze it? No problem at all! Let the ham and pasta bake cool completely, then wrap it tightly or transfer it to freezer-safe containers. You can keep it frozen for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to eat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through and bubbly!
Frequently Asked Questions About Ham & Cheese Pasta Bake
What You’ll Need for This Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake
- 12 oz pasta (like penne)
- 7 oz cooked chicken ham or deli ham, diced
- 3.5 cups water
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 small yellow onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
- 1 heaping tsp salt
- 1 tsp each sweet paprika, dried oregano, dried marjoram, and black pepper
- 1.5 cups shredded cheese (such as Swiss, Gouda, or Mozzarella)
- Fresh chives or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Note: You’ll find the complete ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions in the printable recipe card down below!
How to Make Cheesy Ham and Pasta Bake
Instructions:
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (375°F for convection).
Pour the uncooked pasta directly into a baking dish.
Dice up the cooked ham and scatter it evenly over the pasta.
Next, peel and halve the garlic clove, and peel and quarter the onion.
Add both to the mixing bowl and chop for 5 sec / Speed 5. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with your spatula and repeat if needed.
Add the oil and sauté for 2 min / 120°C (250°F) / Speed 1.
Add the tomato paste, seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, marjoram, and oregano), cornstarch, water, and heavy cream, then bring to a boil for 7 min / 100°C (210°F) / Speed 3.
Pour the sauce over the pasta in your baking dish.
Pop the baking dish into the oven and bake on the bottom rack for 20 minutes.
Finally, top with the shredded cheese and bake for an additional 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh chives or parsley and serve!
Enjoy!
Note: You’ll find the exact measurements and step-by-step instructions further down in the recipe card.
The listed prep and cook times are averages.
Happy cooking!
If you loved this quick and easy Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake, you might also enjoy my recipe for a quick pasta casserole! 🙂
Happy cooking,
Christoph
P.S. Never want to miss a recipe? Be sure to follow me on Pinterest or Instagram ❣
Did you make this recipe?
If you loved it, please leave me a comment and rate it 5 stars below! 🙂
Cheesy Ham and Pasta Bake
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Start cookingIngredients
- 350 g Pasta e.g., penne (approx. 12.5 oz)
- 200 g Cooked chicken ham (approx. 7 oz)
- 850 ml Water (approx. 28.5 fl oz)
- 200 ml Heavy cream (approx. 7 fl oz)
- 1 Onion
- 1 Garlic clove
- 20 g Olive oil (approx. 0.5 oz)
- 30 g Tomato paste (approx. 1 oz)
- 30 g All-purpose flour or cornstarch (approx. 1 oz)
- 1 tsp Salt
- Je 1 tsp Sweet paprika, oregano, marjoram, black pepper
- 150 g Shredded cheese e.g., Swiss, Emmental, or Gouda (approx. 5.5 oz)
- Etwas Fresh chives or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) convection or 200°C (400°F) conventional.
- 350 g (approx. 12.5 oz) PastaAdd the uncooked pasta directly into a baking dish.
- 350 g (approx. 12.5 oz) Pasta, 200 g (approx. 7 oz) Cooked chicken hamDice the cooked ham into small cubes and scatter evenly over the uncooked pasta.
- 1 Onion, 1 Garlic clovePeel and halve the garlic clove, and peel and quarter the onion. Add both to the mixing bowl and chop for 5 sec / Speed 5. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, repeating if necessary.
- 20 g (approx. 0.5 oz) Olive oilAdd the olive oil and sauté for 2 min / 120°C (250°F) / Speed 1.
- 850 ml (approx. 28.5 fl oz) Water, 200 ml (approx. 7 fl oz) Heavy cream, 30 g (approx. 1 oz) Tomato paste, 1 tsp Salt, Je 1 tsp Sweet paprika, oregano, marjoram, black pepperAdd the tomato paste, seasonings (salt, pepper, sweet paprika, marjoram, and oregano), cornstarch, water, and heavy cream. Bring to a boil for 7 min / 100°C (210°F) / Speed 3.
- 350 g (approx. 12.5 oz) Pasta, 200 g (approx. 7 oz) Cooked chicken hamPour the hot sauce evenly over the pasta and ham in the baking dish.
- 150 g (approx. 5.5 oz) Shredded cheesePlace the baking dish on the lower rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top and bake for another 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Etwas Fresh chives or parsley, for garnishGarnish with freshly chopped chives or parsley, serve warm, and enjoy!
