Ham, Broccoli and Cheese Pasta Bake

Huey

400 gm penne
freshly ground salt & pepper
½ broccoli head, broken into florets
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp plain flour
½ litre hot milk
grated tasty cheese
freshly ground salt & pepper
150 gm shaved ham

Preheat oven to 190°-200°C. Cook pasta in plenty of lightly salted, boiling water until al dente. When almost ready, add broccoli and briefly cook. Then drain well. At the same time, gently melt butter in a saucepan and stir in flour. Cook for a few minutes, stirring continually, and then add hot milk all at once and whisk well until thick. (If too thick you can add some cold milk.) Add 2 handfuls cheese and seasonings and mix well until melted. Then gently fold in pasta and broccoli. Transfer mixture to a gratin (or ovenproof) dish, together with ham. Top with more cheese and cook in oven for about 20 mins until golden.