Celebrate Spring: Ham Asparagus Casserole

Creamy cheese sauce, savory ham and spring asparagus are a classic casserole combination. This spring time casserole is comfort food-lite. It is warm and satisfying with significantly fewer calories than most ham casseroles.

Ham and asparagus casserole

• 1/2 lb  uncooked extra-broad egg noodles
• 1TBS butter (you could use a lower calorie substitute but I really like the butter flavor here)
• 1 small yellow onion coarsely chopped
• 1 bunch of asparagus cut into 1-2″ segments (approx 2-2 1/2 cups)
• 1 TBS finely minced garlic
• 3/4lb lean, low sodium turkey ham, cut into 1″ cubes
• 1/4  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1/2  tsp  dried thyme
• 1/4  tsp  garlic salt
• 1/8  tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1  c.  fat free  milk
• 1  c.  low fat, low sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 lb Lite Havarti cheese cut into small cubes
• 1/4  cup  chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 c.  Parmesan bread crumbs

Preheat the oven to 450° Cook the noodles in rapidly boiling water until al denté. Drain the noodles and place the noodles in a 9″ x 13″ baking pan. Add the cubed ham to the noodles and toss.

Asparagus and Onions

In a frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sauté the onions in melted butter until they start to soften. Add the asparagus and garlic to the frying pan. Continue cooking until the onions are translucent and the asparagus is crisp tender. Add the vegetables to the noodles and ham in the baking pan.

In a small bowl, combine the flour, thyme, salt and pepper together. Add the milk and chicken broth to the flour mixture. Whisk well, making sure that all flour is dissolved into the liquid. Pour the mixture into the frying pan and add the cheese. Heat over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbly and thick, stirring frequently.  Add additional salt and pepper to taste.

Pour the sauce over the noodles in the baking pan and toss to coat.  Top with fresh parsley and bread crumbs. Cook in the oven until the casserole is heated through and the bread crumb topping is lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

Wine Pairing

Steaming Hot Ham and Asparagus Casserole

Asparagus can be a challenge to pair with wines, but this spring time casserole pairs well with a rosé.  A subtle off dry rosé is a refreshing pairing to this lightly creamy casserole. We drank Silver Lake Winery Roza Rosé with our dinner tonight but I think a slightly more reserved rosé like Lullaby Winery’s 2007 Rosé might be a more pleasing pairing. The Silver Lake Roza Rosé was a little sweet to pair with this casserole.

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