500gpasta of your choicecooked (reserve 1 cup of cooking water)
2cupsshredded cooked chicken
1cupsmoked hamcubed
2cupsgrated mozzarella cheese
for the topping
1½cupsfresh breadcrumbs
2teaspoonsolive oil
1teaspoonthyme leaves
saltto taste
Instructions
Pre-heat the oven to 180°c.
To make the sauce, melt the butter in a medium saucepan then add the flour and stir to make a roux.
Slowly whisk in the stock and milk (you might not need all the liquid) until the sauce is smooth. Lower the heat and allow to simmer, stirring every now and then, until the sauce is cooked through and thick.
Season with the spices.
Combine the sauce with the cooked pasta, shredded chicken and ham. Add a little of the pasta's cooking water to loosen the sauce.
Layer in an oven-proof dish with the cheese.
Season the breadcrumbs with olive oil, thyme leaves and salt then place on top of the pasta.
Place the pasta in the oven and allow to bake for 20-25 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the pasta is bubbling.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes then serve.