I recently found this on slashfood. It looks really good--and easy! It suggests using cooked chicken and sauteed mushrooms as an alternate.
http://www.slashfood.com/2007/02/10/...se-pasta-bake/
Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake
2 cups diced broccoli (or peas)
1 1/2 cups ham, diced
12-ounces fusilli, penne or rigatoni pasta
4 tbsp butter, divided
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk (low fat is fine)
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
salt and pepper, to taste
4-oz Fontina cheese grated or cut into strips
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 350F and bring two pots, medium and large, of water to a boil. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Blanch broccoli (or peas) in the medium-sized pot of boiling water until just tender and bright green. Drain and set aside.
Cook the pasta in the large pot of boiling water for about 6 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and toss with 2 tbsp butter. Set aside.
In another medium-sized sauce pan, melt remaining 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Stirring constantly, whisk in the flour until smooth, then gradually whisk in the milk. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper, to taste, then remove from heat and toss with broccoli.
Layer 1/3 of pasta in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with 1/3 of the cheese, 1/2 cup ham and 1/3 of the cream sauce. Repeat two more times, then sprinkle top of dish with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned on top.
Serves 6.
