Creamy Ham Pasta Bake

My Creamy Ham Pasta Bake is the ideal meal when you’re short of time but want a warm and comforting meal. Cubes of ham, pasta and broccoli florets are combined in a cheesy cream sauce, turned into a casserole dish, topped with buttery breadcrumbs and baked until golden and crisp. This is comfort food at its best, and it is a meal that all the family will enjoy.

• 200 g (7 oz) dried elbow pasta
• 250 g (9 oz) broccoli florets – cut into bite-size pieces
• 250 g (9 oz) ham – cut into 1 cm (½ inch) cubes

• 60 g (¼ cup) unsalted butter
• 40 g (¼ cup) plain/all-purpose flour
• 750 ml (3 cups) milk
• 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoon grainy mustard
• 250 g (2 ½ cups) cheddar cheese – freshly grated
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste

• 90 g (1 cup) panko breadcrumbs
• 60 g (¼) unsalted butter – melted
• 2 teaspoon fresh thyme – finely chopped