Gruyere and Ham Pasta

• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 2 Tablespoons All-purpose Flour
• 2 cups Milk
• 1/2 teaspoons Salt
• 1/4 teaspoons Dried Thyme
• 1/4 teaspoons Pepper
• 1- 1/2 cup Gruyere Cheese, Shredded
• 1 whole Onion, Chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
• 16 ounces, weight Bowtie Pasta
• 12 ounces, weight Frozen Peas, Thawed
• 2 cups Cubed Ham
• 1 cup Grape Tomatoes, Halved (optional)
• 1 cup Fresh Spinach, Chopped (optional)

1. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter then sprinkle melted butter with flour; cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
2. Whisk in milk; cook, whisking, until the mixture is thick enough to coat spoon, about 7 minutes.
3. Add salt, dried thyme and pepper.
4. Stir in cheese, onion and mustard; cook, stirring, until cheese is melted.
5. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until tender but firm, about 8 minutes.
6. Drain and return pasta to pot.
7. Add sauce, peas, ham and tomatoes; toss to combine and heat through.
8. Optional: add 2 cups of chopped, fresh spinach into the final step and heat until its wilted.

butter, allpurpose, milk, salt, thyme, pepper, gruyere cheese, onion, dijon mustard, pasta, ham, grape tomatoes, fresh spinach

Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/gruyc3a8re-and-ham-pasta/ (may not work)