Cheesy Riggies Pasta with Ham

2.12 from 9 votes

Cheesy Riggies Pasta with Ham

This cheesy riggies pasta with ham is a comforting dinner that puts a twist on mac and cheese and the classic riggies pasta. It’s a delicious, easy way to use up leftover ham in a meal the whole family will happily gather around the table to enjoy together.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: Dinner, Entree, Ham, Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 815kcal

Author: Meaghan @ 4 Sons R Us

Ingredients

2 tbsp butter
1 small white onion peeled & diced
3 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2-2 cups chopped ham
1 lb rigatoni pasta
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup half & half
salt & pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded colby jack cheese

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt the butter. Add the onions in and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften- about 2-3 minutes.
2 tbsp butter, 1 small white onion
Stir in the garlic, cooking just until fragrant, about thirty seconds. Add the ham, cooking for another 30 seconds, just until it's nice and hot.
3 tsp minced garlic, 1 1/2-2 cups chopped ham
Pour in the stock and half & half, stirring to combine. Stir in the pasta. Salt & pepper, to taste.
1 lb rigatoni pasta, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 cup half & half, salt & pepper
Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot and cook until the pasta's tender and has absorbed most of the liquid- about 8-10 minutes. Make sure to stir the pasta occasionally so that it doesn't stick to the pot or to each other in clumps.
Stir the cheese in, and serve immediately. Enjoy!
1 1/2 cups shredded colby jack cheese

Notes

Be sure to use a very large skillet so your pasta will fit.
Keep a close eye on the garlic so it doesn't burn, cooking for only 30 seconds, stirring the whole time. Garlic goes from delicious to burnt and bitter really quickly.
When you are cooking the pasta, make sure to stir it regularly to keep the pasta from sticking together or sticking to the pot.
If you store the pasta in the fridge, the pasta will absorb some of the sauce and thicken up more. If you need to thin it out when you reheat it, stir in a little half and half. It will thin it without making it too thin, the way adding extra stock would.

Nutrition