What a Gut Buster! Yum-o!

This past week I tried a recipe I saw on Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals. We watched the episode when Jansen was home sick and he was the one who said I should make it. Keep in mind what a picky eater family we have. Everyone protested and claimed they wouldn't even try it. However, I did not give anyone the chance to escape the dreaded spinach. You will never believe that the whole family including Joe actually ate this dish full of spinach and loved it! Almost everyone had seconds including Kristen and there were tons of leftovers too.

The real recipe on foodnetwork.com is called "Spinach and Hot Ham Fake-Baked Pasta with a Crispy Top"(Episode #TM1319). Feel free to look up the real recipe but here is our modified version with omitting onions, garlic, cayenne, etc:

Spinach and Ham Pasta Bake

1 package of Radiatore pasta (corkscrew works well too)
3 TBsp Olive Oil
2 TBsp Butter
1-1/2 Cups Milk
3 Tbsp Flour
1/2 Pound Hot Ham Sliced into Thin Ribbons(we used deli ham and it just didn't have enough kick)
1 Box Frozen Chopped Spinach, Defrosted and Excess Liquid Squeezed Out
1 Cup Grated Parmesan
1/2 Lb Ball Mozarrella Cheese cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 Cup plain or Italian Bread Crumbs

Preheat Broiler.

Cook pasta until al dente.

Meanwhile, add 1 Tbsp of Olive Oil and 2 Tbsp Butter to a different pan. Add Garlic Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, etc. Add 3 TBsp Flour. Slowly whisk in Milk. Gently bring to a bubble, allow the milk to thicken a bit.

Stir in the ham, spinach, and 1/2 cup parmesan. Remove from heat.

Combine the cooked pasta and the cubed mozarella with the sauce. Stir to coat completely by turning over and over. Transfer dressed past to a baking dish.

Combine bread crumbs, 2 Tbsp Olive Oil, and 1/2 Cup Parmesan. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top to cover the pasta from edge to edge. Transfer the baking dish under the broiler and broil until golden brown and crispy.

As Rachael Ray says, "What a gut-buster! Yum-o!"
Enjoy!
love, allie