Budget-Friendly Creamy Ham and Leek Pasta Bake

This budget-friendly, healthy, and satisfying meal is perfect for weekday dinners. Paired with some carrot sticks or broccoli on the side, it can serve 6 adults or 4 adults and 4 kids.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 liter (2.1 cups) of cooking cream (thickens when cooked)
• 8 eggs (+/-2 depending on size, consider using 10 if medium-sized)
• 2-3 leeks
• 500-600 grams (1.1-1.3 pounds) of ham, cut into cubes
• 250 grams (0.55 pounds or 8.8 ounces) of wholegrain fusilli pasta
• Salt, pepper, and other spices (dried thyme works wonderfully)
• Optional: 1.5 carrots per person or additional veggies of your choice

Directions:

1. Begin by cooking your pasta to avoid it being too firm in the dish.
2. While the pasta is cooking, chop the leeks into rings and cut the ham into cubes.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and cream until well combined, then add your spices. Whisk again to ensure even distribution.
4. Once the pasta is cooked, preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
5. Layer the bottom of an ovenproof dish with pasta, followed by a layer of leeks and then ham. Repeat this layering until you've used up all the ingredients.
6. Pour the egg and cream mixture evenly over the layers in the dish.
7. Place the dish in the oven and bake for about an hour.
8. While it's baking, prepare your extra veggies. Consider carrot sticks, steamed broccoli, cucumber, or bell peppers, depending on your preference.
9. Once the pasta bake is done, let it cool slightly before serving.
10. Enjoy this delicious and budget-friendly meal!

Additional Notes:

• This recipe yields a substantial amount of food. It's perfect for dinner for two with leftovers for two days or for feeding a larger group.
• To keep costs down, look for ham on sale and freeze it for later use. This meal can be incredibly affordable.
• If you prefer, you can use imperial measurements. Approximately 1.5 carrots per person is a good serving size, but feel free to adjust according to your preferences. Adding extra veggies on the side is a great way to stretch the dish further.