Ham Asparagus And Noodle Casserole

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2

Place the asparagus into a boiler pan and cover with water and add about a teaspoon of salt.

Step 3

Bring to a boil.

Step 4

Cook until tender, about 5 minutes or so.

Step 5

Remove asparagus, saving the water.

Step 6

Then, plunge into a bowl of ice water; this stops the cooking and helps retain the pretty green coloring of the asparagus.

Step 7

Add noodles to boiling asparagus water.

Step 8

Cook until 1/2 done.

Step 9

Drain.

Sauce

Step 10

In a sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat.

Step 11

Add flour and stir.

Step 12

Add grated onion.

Step 13

Cook for a couple of minutes, or so.

Step 14

Slowly add the half-and-half and chicken broth.

Step 15

Stir to blend well.

Step 16

Cook, stirring constantly until sauce is thickened.

Step 17

Add cheddar and the Parmesan cheeses.

Step 18

Stir to blend and until cheeses are melted.

Step 19

Add lemon juice, onion powder,mustard, parsley flakes, salt and pepper and stir well.

Combine

Step 20

In a large bowl, combine cooked noodles, ham and sauce.

Step 21

Spray a 9x13 with cooking spray.

Step 22

Place half the noodle mixture in bottom of baking dish.

Step 23

Top with cooked asparagus.

Step 24

Place remaining noodles on top of asparagus.

Step 25

Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, or until bubbly.

Step 26

Remove from oven and top with topping cheeses.

Step 27

Return to oven long enough to melt cheese.

Step 28

Garnish with paprika.