Cheesy Pasta & Ham Casserole

I don't know about you guys, but when the temperatures start to drop, my craving for comfort foods skyrockets almost instantly. This is definitely one of those creamy, cheesy, ooey, gooey, all-around delicious foods that just begs to be eaten on a chilly fall evening- the epitome of comfort food, really.

We had some leftover ham we needed to use up, so we decided to be a little more creative than packing sandwiches for lunch for the next few days. Homemade macaroni and cheese plus ham....what's not to love? I will admit, though, that this dish is a little on the indulgent side.If you're counting calories... keep on walking browsing. :-) This recipe is probably not for you...Sorry!

Cheesy Pasta & Ham Casserole

- 1 lb. cellentani pasta, cooked and drained (or any type of small pasta you have on hand)
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- 8 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups cooked ham, diced into cubes
- 1 1/4 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1 1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 4 tablespoons Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese

1. Start by cooking your pasta according to package instructions, chopping your ham into small cubes, and shredding your cheese. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour, whisking well to combine, and cook, stirring continuously until the mixture is bubbly and frothy. Add in the milk and stir constantly until the mixture begins to thicken and is smooth and creamy. Add in the seasoned salt, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well to combine, then slowly add all of your shredded cheese until completely melted into mixture. Reduce heat to low and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly to keep sauce mixture smooth.
3. Combine the cooked pasta, diced ham, and sauce in a large pot (I just used the one the pasta had been cooked in) and mix well.
4. Coat a 9x13" casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon mixture into casserole dish.
5. Mix bread crumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese in small bowl, then sprinkle mixture over the top of the pasta mixture.
6. Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes until topping is lightly browned. Makes 12 servings.

AH-Mazing! :)

This was a hit all around, and was perfect served with nothing more than a salad of sorts. Hopefully, your family enjoys this as much as we did!

What are some of your favorite go-to comfort foods for cold weather?