Baked cheese pasta with spinach and ham

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 1 large onion(s)
• 30 g butter
• 30 g flour
• 275 ml milk
• 100 ml whipped cream
• salt and pepper
• 500g penne
• 150 g leaf spinach
• 250 g mountain cheese
• 200 g cooked ham
• Nutmeg, freshly grated
• ½ tsp sweet paprika powder

Instructions

Working time approx. 15 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 45 minutes; Total time approx. 1 hour

Peel and dice the onion. Sauté in hot butter for 2 minutes until translucent. Dust with flour and sweat for 1 minute, stirring. Deglaze with milk and cream, stirring, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 12-15 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Defrost and drain the spinach. Grate the cheese and dice the ham. Season the cream sauce with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and paprika, then melt 100g of cheese in it. Add the spinach and ham and heat briefly. Drain the pasta, drain well, and mix with the sauce. Transfer to a baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 25-30 minutes.