Pasta, courgette and ham bake

A comforting, complete pasta bake with tender courgettes, ham and a light white sauce browned in the oven. Family-friendly and balanced, it is the dinner that pleases everyone, children included.

Preparation: 15 min  |  Cooking: 30 min  |  Servings: 4  |  Difficulty: Easy

Calculated per serving from the Anses Ciqual 2025 values for each ingredient, based on the quantities in the list. Household measures (spoonfuls, pieces) use average weights. 290 kcal · 18 g protein · 34 g carbohydrate · 8 g fat

Ingredients

• 300 g wholewheat pasta
• 2 courgettes
• 150 g ham
• 400 ml milk
• 2 tbsp cornflour
• 80 g grated cheese

Method

1. Cook the pasta al dente and soften the courgettes.
2. Make a light white sauce (milk and cornflour, no butter).
3. Mix the pasta, courgettes, ham and white sauce in a baking dish.
4. Sprinkle with cheese and bake for 20 minutes at 200 °C.

Nutritional benefits

Wholewheat pasta provides carbohydrate with a moderate glycaemic index and fibre, ham supplies lean protein, and courgettes add volume and vitamins. The cornflour white sauce (no butter) keeps the bake light. A complete, balanced family dish that children enjoy.

Variations and substitutions

• With chicken or tuna instead of ham.
• Vegetarian: no ham, more vegetables.
• With broccoli or spinach.
• Dairy-free: plant-based milk and nutritional yeast.

Storage and making ahead

Keeps for 3 days and can be reheated in the oven. Can be prepared ahead.

💡 Good to know

Keep the pasta al dente: it finishes cooking in the oven and will not turn mushy in the bake.

Related reading

Discover more high-protein recipes · healthy & balanced recipes · kids’ recipes.

The foods in this recipe: pasta · courgettes · ham · milk · cornflour.

You might also like these recipes: Chocolate protein mug cake · Banana and chocolate baked oats (oven-baked oat cake) · Protein crêpes.