Ham, Spinach, And Mostaccioli Casserole

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 8 ounces dried mostaccioli pasta or 8 ounces ziti pasta or 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons margarine
• 3 medium onions, cut into thin wedges (about 3 cups) or 5 medium leeks, sliced (about 3 cups)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half or 1 1/2 cups light cream or 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups cooked ham, cubed
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

Recipe

• 1 cook pasta according to package. drain and rinse.
• 2 in large saucepan melt margarine. add onion or leeks and garlic. cover and cook about 5 mins or till onions are tender, stirring occasionally.
• 3 stir in flour, thyme, and pepper.
• 4 add half and half, light cream, or milk and the chicken broth all at once.
• 5 cook and stir til thick and bubbly. cook and stir for 1 minute more.
• 6 stir in pasta, ham, and spinach.
• 7 spoon mixture into a 3 quart casserole.
• 8 cover and bake 30-35 mins at 350 or until heated through. let stand 5 minutes. stir gently before serving.