Creamy Ranch Ham & Cheese Penne Bake
This Creamy Ranch Ham & Cheese Penne Bake is a delightful and wholesome dish that combines the savory flavors of lean ham with a creamy ranch-infused cheese sauce. Perfect for a family dinner or potluck, this recipe is not only easy to make but also offers a comforting taste that is loved by all. The penne pasta provides a wonderful texture, while the blend of reduced-fat cheeses keeps it lighter without sacrificing flavor. Serve it hot, and watch it disappear from the dinner table!
10
Servings
195
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Penne Pasta
16 ounces (uncooked)
Butter or Margarine
1 tablespoon (melted)
All-Purpose Flour
1 tablespoon (sifted)
Nonfat Milk
1 cup (at room temperature)
Dried Parsley Flakes
2 teaspoons (dry)
Garlic Salt
1 teaspoon (dry)
Salt-Free Lemon Pepper
1 teaspoon (dry)
Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon (dry)
Dried Onion Flakes
1/2 teaspoon (dry)
Dill Weed
1/2 teaspoon (dry)
Onion Powder
1/4 teaspoon (dry)
Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (dry)
Reduced-Fat Sour Cream
1 cup (softened)
Cubed Fully Cooked Lean Ham
2 cups (cubed)
Shredded Reduced-Fat Mexican Cheese Blend
1 1/2 cups (shredded)
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (shredded)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside.
2
In a Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour until a smooth paste forms.
3
Gradually pour in the nonfat milk while continuing to whisk to avoid lumps. Add the parsley flakes, garlic salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion flakes, dill weed, onion powder, and pepper.
4
Raise the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
5
Lower the heat and fold in the sour cream until fully blended into the sauce.
6
Stir in the cubed ham and cooked pasta, mixing thoroughly. Continue to cook over low heat until everything is heated through.
7
Remove the Dutch oven from heat and stir in the shredded Mexican cheese blend until melted and creamy.
8
Before serving, sprinkle the top with the shredded Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor.
Nutrition Information
22g
Carbs
12g
Protein
1g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
115mg
Sodium
9mg
Cholesterol
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Ranch Ham & Cheese Penne Bake?
It is a savory dish featuring lean ham and penne pasta in a creamy ranch-style cheese sauce, designed for family dinners or potlucks.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 10 servings.
What are the calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 195 calories.
What type of pasta is required for this dish?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of uncooked penne pasta.
How much ham is needed?
You will need 2 cups of cubed, fully cooked lean ham.
What kind of cheese is used in the sauce?
The sauce uses 1 1/2 cups of shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides 12 grams of protein.
What seasonings give it the ranch flavor?
The ranch flavor comes from a blend of parsley flakes, garlic salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion flakes, dill weed, onion powder, and pepper.
What type of milk should I use?
The recipe recommends 1 cup of nonfat milk at room temperature.
How much fat is in this recipe?
While the exact fat grams are not specified, the recipe utilizes reduced-fat cheeses and sour cream to keep it lighter.
What is the carbohydrate content?
There are 22 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much sodium does it contain?
Each serving contains 115mg of sodium.
What is the cholesterol level per serving?
The cholesterol content is 9mg per serving.
How do I prepare the penne pasta?
Cook the penne according to the package directions until it is al dente, then drain.
When should I add the sour cream?
Lower the heat and fold in the softened reduced-fat sour cream after the sauce has thickened from boiling.
What topping is added before serving?
The dish is finished with a sprinkle of 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use either 1 tablespoon of butter or margarine.
How long should I boil the sauce?
The sauce should be boiled and stirred constantly for about 2 minutes until it thickens.
What is the fiber content?
There is 1 gram of fiber per serving.
How much sugar is in the dish?
The recipe contains 1 gram of sugar per serving.
What cooking vessel is recommended?
A Dutch oven is recommended for preparing the sauce and mixing the ingredients.
Do I need to sift the flour?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 1 tablespoon of sifted all-purpose flour.
Is the ham raw or cooked?
The recipe uses fully cooked lean ham.
What temperature should the milk be?
The milk should be at room temperature for the best results when whisking into the sauce.
What preparation is needed for the sour cream?
The reduced-fat sour cream should be softened before being folded into the sauce.
Are there any onion ingredients?
Yes, the recipe includes both dried onion flakes and onion powder.
Is there any garlic in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for both garlic salt and garlic powder.
How much dill weed is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of dry dill weed.
Is the lemon pepper salt-free?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1 teaspoon of salt-free lemon pepper.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 16 ingredients in this recipe.