Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

If you like chicken cordon bleu - but hate how your chicken never stays closed, your cheese runs out, or just don't want to deal with it - this is for you! It is also a great potluck pleaser. You can chop up the meat or shred it for little ones. Serve with a vegetable side dish.

3 C chicken cubes, cooked (or turkey)

2 C ham cubes, cooked (I use a ham steak and cube it)

1 1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 Med onion, chopped

1 stick of butter, divided

1/3 C flour

2 C half-and-half cream

1 tsp dill

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground mustard

1 C dried bread crumbs

1//4 C chopped walnuts

Pre-heat oven to 350 deg F.

Mix chicken, ham, and 1 Cup of cheese in a bowl. Set aside. Melt 1/3 C butter in a saucepan. Add onions and saute until soft. Add flour and mix to form a paste. Slowly add half and half, stirring constantly. Let it bubble and stir until thickened. Add dill, nutmeg and ground mustard. Pour mixture over chicken and mix well. Pour into rectangle baking dish.

For topping:

Melt remaining butter, should be 2 T. Mix butter and bread crumbs in a bowl. Add 1/2 C cheese and walnuts. Spread topping over chicken mixture in dish. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.