Make Ahead

Southern Ham and Kale Hotdish

February 15, 2016
0
0 Ratings
Photo by garlic and zest
  • Serves 6
Author Notes

Tender macaroni in a lush mornay sauce with chunks of ham and toothsome kale. —garlic and zest

Continue After Advertisement
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 6-7 arge ribs of kale, tough stems removed
  • 2 large cloves garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups diced ham
  • 3 tablespoons
    1 teaspoon butter, divided


  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 cup grated cheddar or monterey jack cheese
  • 8 ounces uncooked macaroni noodles
  • 1 slice bread
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Spray a large casserole dish with vegetable spray and set aside.
  2. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to package instructions -- just until al dente. Rinse and drain the noodles and set aside.
  3. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large skillet add the onions, cook for 3-5 minutes until tender and translucent. Rinse the kale to remove any grit, chop the kale and add it directly to the pan (don't dry the water off of the kale - you want a little bit to steam and wilt the kale leaves) and cover tightly with a lid. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until the kale has wilted. Stir in the ham and set aside.
  4. In a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly to combine. Stir in the salt, pepper and cayenne. When the roux begins to bubble, cook for one minute, then gradually whisk in the milk a little at a time. Stir the sauce constantly and scraping the bottom and sides of the pan so it doesn't stick. Bring to a boil over medium high heat and cook for 1 minute until sauce is thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the grated cheese until melted, set aside.
  5. Add the noodles to the cheese sauce and stir until well coated. Add the noodle mixture to the kale mixture and mix until combined and transfer to the casserole dish.
  6. Tear the bread into chunks and add them to the mini prep food processor. Add the butter and parsley and pulse until bread crumbs are formed. Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the casserole and bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and browned on top. Serve.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

2 Reviews

charlotte March 31, 2016
I was looking for something different to do with our leftover Easter ham. This was delicious. I mistakenly added 2 cups of cheese then added some chicken broth to thin. I do think the extra cheese was excellent. I used Monterrey jack. I used panko instead of bread crumbs. I added asiago cheese to the panko. Although my husband disagrees, I would have doubled the kale. We will definitely make this again.
garlic A. April 1, 2016
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Charlotte. I think the best thing about cooking is you can substitute here and there and make a dish your own (not as much in baking)! This is one of our favorites too!