Ham & Swiss Baked Penne

If ham and swiss anything is your favorite, then this dish is for you!

Creamy and comforting here is Sunday dinner.

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Let me start this post off with....our fish died.  You can read about how we got that fish here.

He lasted two weeks.  In rather inhumane conditions {i.e. mixing bowl on the counter}.  We had one child that bawled their eyes out for about 30 minutes and one child that couldn't wait to flush it down the toilet.

I'll let you guess which child is which.

Since then the mixing bowl has been washed and we have moved on.  On to our next adventure!



Let's talk this baked penne.  I came up with it one afternoon and we were eating it a few hours later.  So good! 

Growing up I remember eating hot ham and swiss sandwiches from a local fast food restaurant.  I think they still have them....and this dish makes me think of them.  Melty, gooey, goodness.  It's kinda like a mac and cheese, kind of like a carbonara.  

A good mix between the two?

And because people have asked, the retro Corningware baking dish I used in the recipe is old school.  It was most definitely my Grandma's.  Here is a similar one with the same glass lid that you can buy via Amazon, I use it for everything!

My kids loved this dish, as did the husband.....my thighs?  Probably not.  But it is a good hearty dish to eat right about now in the Midwest {freezing cold!} or great to take to a friend that needs a pick-me-up.

It might even be a good one to take to my freezer swap next month?

And here's a thought, if you have extra turkey leftover in a couple of weeks, try replacing the ham with turkey, I'm thinking it would be just as good, because who doesn't like a good turkey and swiss sandwich?  Essentially the same thing.

Ham & Swiss Baked Penne

Print this Recipe!

4 T. butter
1/4 c. flour
2 c. milk
1 c. half and half
2 c. diced ham
1 1/2 c. Swiss cheese
1/2 c. Colby cheese
8 oz. cooked penne
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1/4 c. breadcrumbs
2 T. butter, melted

1.  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2.  In a stockpot melt the 4 T. of butter.  When melted add in the flour, whisking for 1-2 minutes over medium-high heat.
3.  Whisk in the milk and half and half.  Stirring until it starts to thicken, about 4-5 minutes.  Gradually add in the shredded cheese, stirring to melt.
4.  Once the sauce is thick and cheesy, stir in the cooked penne and ham.  Pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish.
5.  Stir together the Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs and 2 T. of melted butter.  Sprinkle over the top of the dish.
6.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes covered.  Then turn the oven to 400 degrees and bake uncovered for 10 minutes.

I'm a huge fan on any baked pasta dish.  Here are a few more of our favorites!

Mexican Stuffed Shells
Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll-Ups
Bacon Buffalo Mac and Cheese
Bacon Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
Baked Ravioi Lasagna