Pasta and ham gratin

Ingredients for 1 servings:

• 225 g pasta
• 175 g ham
• 600 ml vegetable stock
• 200 ml cooking cream or approx. 200 g processed cheese
• 2 tbsp chives, fresh or frozen
• 1 m.-sized onion(s)
• 1 tsp, heaped tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• salt and pepper
• Paprika powder
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 100 g cheese, grated
• Clarified butter or oil for frying

Instructions

Working time approx. 20 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 45 minutes; Total time approx. 1 hour 5 minutes

in creamy cream sauce

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (convection oven). Dice the ham and place it in a casserole dish with the pasta. Dice the onion and sauté in a little fat until translucent. Add a little sugar and let it caramelize. Deglaze with the broth and cream. If using processed cheese instead of cream, simmer the cheese with the broth until it is completely dissolved. Stir in the tomato paste and chives and season with 1 teaspoon of sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika. If using cream, stir the cornstarch into about 50 ml of water, add to the pot, and bring back to a boil briefly. Season the sauce to taste and pour over the pasta. The pasta should be completely covered with the sauce. Sprinkle with the cheese and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes.