Baked Penne With Ham, Peas, And Jack Cheese - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb penne pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 large ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups milk
salt
black pepper
2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed
1/2 lb cooked ham, diced

Preparation

In a big pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Preheat oven to 350\u00b0; grease a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside.
In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat; add in onion and tomato; stir for 2 minutes.
Sprinkle flour over the top and continue to stir for about 1 minute.
Gradually add the milk, whisking rapidly until the sauce is smooth.
Season with salt and pepper; add 1 cup cheese, and stir until it melts and the sauce is smooth.
Add the cheese sauce, peas, and ham to the pasta; toss until well blended.
Transfer mixture to the prepared casserole; sprinkle remaining cheese over the top; bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes.