Pasta pudding with cheese and beef ham

Delicious Pasta Pudding with Cottage Cheese and Beef Ham

Total preparation time: 1 hour
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6

Welcome to the wonderful world of cooking! Today I will share with you a simple yet extremely flavorful recipe for pasta pudding with cottage cheese and beef ham. It’s a perfect recipe to make use of leftovers from the fridge and create a tasty dish that will impress family and friends. This pudding is ideal both warm and cold, making it perfect for any meal, from a cozy dinner to an elegant lunch.

A little story about pudding

Pasta pudding is a versatile dish that combines textures and flavors, becoming popular in many cultures. This recipe is inspired by the tradition of transforming leftovers into a delicious meal, using simple ingredients commonly found in most households. It is said that every family has its own version of pasta pudding, and this is ours, full of flavor and warmth.

Necessary ingredients

- 200 g pasta (choose your favorite type: penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- 200 g cottage cheese (you can also use telemea cheese or farmer's cheese, depending on your preference)
- 150 g beef ham (cut into cubes or strips, to taste)
- 1/2 cup milk (about 120 ml)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons sour cream (for extra creaminess)
- Butter (for greasing the baking dish)
- Olive oil (for boiling pasta)
- Salt and ground pepper (to taste)

Preparing the pasta pudding

1. Boiling the pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add a little salt and a few drops of olive oil to prevent the pasta from sticking. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually between 8-12 minutes, depending on the type of pasta. Make sure to cook them al dente, as they will continue to cook in the oven.

2. Draining the pasta
Once the pasta is ready, drain it in a colander and let it cool slightly.

3. Preparing the pudding mixture
In a large bowl, crumble the cottage cheese with a fork to make it easier to incorporate. Add the drained pasta, diced ham, and mix the ingredients well. This mixture will be the base of your pudding.

4. The liquid mixture
Separately, in another bowl, beat the 4 eggs. Add the milk, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well until all ingredients are combined. This mixture will add a creamy texture to the pudding.

5. Combining the ingredients
Pour the egg mixture over the pasta with cottage cheese and ham. Mix everything well, ensuring that the pasta is evenly coated with the mixture.

6. Preparing the baking dish
Grease a baking dish of about 20x30 cm with butter to prevent sticking. Add the pasta mixture to the dish and level it out gently.

7. The creamy topping
In a small bowl, beat one egg with the remaining sour cream. Pour this mixture over the pudding to give it a golden and delicious crust.

8. Baking
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the pudding in the oven and let it bake for about 40 minutes or until it becomes golden and firm to the touch. Check the consistency with a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the pudding is ready.

9. Serving
Once the pudding is ready, let it cool slightly before cutting it. You can serve it warm or cold, according to your preference. A delicious suggestion is to add a little ketchup (spicy or sweet) on top when serving, for a surprising note of flavor.

Useful tips

- You can add vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms to the pasta mixture to give it a fresh note and enhance the nutritional value of the dish.
- Instead of beef ham, you can use chicken ham or even bacon, depending on your preferences.
- This pudding can be an excellent choice for lunch at the office or as a healthy snack between meals.

Nutritional information

This pasta pudding is a good source of protein due to the eggs and ham, while the cottage cheese brings calcium and essential nutrients. Depending on the ingredients used, a serving can have approximately 350-400 calories. It is a filling meal that will keep you energized throughout the day.

Frequently asked questions

- Can I use whole grain pasta?
Yes, whole grain pasta is a healthier choice and will add a nutty note to the dish.

- How can I store the pasta pudding?
It is recommended to keep it in the refrigerator, covered, for 2-3 days. You can reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.

- Can the pasta pudding be frozen?
Yes, this pudding can be frozen, but make sure to wrap it well to avoid freezer burn. Usually, the taste is best after thawing, but the texture may be slightly different.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that’s left is to start cooking! Enjoy every step of the process and don’t forget to share this recipe with your loved ones. Bon appétit!

 Ingredients: 200 g pasta, 200 g cheese, 1/2 cup milk, 150 g beef ham, 4 eggs, 2 tablespoons sour cream, butter for greasing the pan, olive oil, salt, ground pepper

 Tags:  easter pudding