Fried Pies & Fireflies: Cheesy Penne & Ham Bake

I love using left over ham in recipes...my Mom loves pasta...
we both love cheese...so...this recipe turned out just perfect!
We hope you think so also :)

Cheesy Penne & Ham Bake

SAUCE:
4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 pound penne pasta, cooked according to package directions
1 cup peas, frozen
1 1/2 cups ham, diced
1 cup Provolone cheese, diced
1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter a 9x13 baking dish.

Heat milk in a medium saucepan until

small bubbles form around the edges.

In a larger saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat.

Add flour and stir well.

Continue to cook, stirring, until thick and smooth, about 2 minutes.

Slowly begin adding hot milk to the large saucepan,

whisking constantly while adding.

Sauce will start out lumpy and become smooth as milk is incorporated. Stir in freshly ground pepper.

Turn heat up to medium and bring sauce

to a simmer for an additional 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and set aside while you prepare the pasta.

In a large bowl, toss cooked pasta with the sauce.
Stir in peas, ham, provolone and 3/4 cup of the grated Parmesan.

Pour the pasta mixture into the baking dish and
sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.

Cover with aluminum foil. Bake 25 minutes.
Uncover and bake about 10 minutes more
until sauce is bubbling around the edges

Remove from the oven and let cool
for about 10 minutes before serving.

The cast of characters...