This family favourite midweek dinner is packed with flavour and quick to make, as it doesn’t require extra time in the oven. Kids love our Skara Maple Ham for its sweet smokey flavour and combined with the toasted breadcrumbs will have them saying ”more please”.
Ingredients
300g Macaroni or curls
100g Skara Maple Ham, chopped
1 cup frozen peas
80g semi dried tomatoes, chopped
¼ cup basil leaves, torn
Béchamel Sauce
40g butter, chopped into cubes
1 clove garlic, crushed
¼ cup flour
500ml milk
1 cup vintage cheddar cheese, grated
½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
Toasted Breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons parsley, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon lemon zest
Salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
Method
- Cook pasta according to pack instructions. Drain.
- For the topping, heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and garlic, stirring to combine and cook until golden. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Add zest, parsley and season with salt and pepper, stirring to combine. Set aside until required.
- For the béchamel sauce, melt butter in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes before adding flour, stirring to combine. Add milk, stirring to combine and slowly bring up to a simmer, whisking continuously until sauce becomes smooth and thickens. Reduce heat to low and cook sauce gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add cheddar and parmesan, stirring continuously until cheese has melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- To serve, add the cooked pasta to the béchamel sauce, with the ham, peas, tomatoes and basil, stirring until well combined. Evenly divide between serving bowls and sprinkle with toasted breadcrumbs.