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Ham and Cheese Casserole Recipe

Ultimate Ham and Cheese Casserole Recipe That Everyone Loves

Delicious Ham and Cheese Casserole recipe made with tender pasta, savory ham, and a creamy cheese sauce, perfect for using leftovers.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Casserole
  • 8 oz Medium Pasta Shells Substitute with rotini or penne as desired.
  • 1/4 cup Butter Can replace with margarine if dairy-free.
  • 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour Whole wheat flour may be used.
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder Fresh onion can be sautéed for increased flavor.
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder Fresh minced garlic is an alternative.
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Thyme Oregano may be substituted.
  • 1/2 tsp Salt Adjust according to taste.
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper Adjust according to taste.
  • 2 cups Whole Milk or Half & Half Substitute with low-fat milk for a lighter version.
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard Yellow mustard can be a substitute.
  • 1 1/2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese Can mix with other cheeses.
  • 1 cup Shredded Gruyere Swiss cheese can be used as an alternative.
  • 2 cups Diced Cooked Ham Cooked turkey or chicken can be used.
For the Topping
  • 1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs Regular breadcrumbs can be a substitute.
  • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Nutritional yeast may be used as a dairy-free alternative.
  • 2 tbsp Melted Salted Butter Can replace with olive oil.
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley Other fresh herbs like chives or thyme can be used.

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Large pot
  • Medium Saucepan
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Ham and Cheese Casserole Recipe
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large pot, boil salted water and cook pasta shells for about 6-7 minutes until just under al dente. Drain and reserve a cup of pasta water.
  3. Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a medium saucepan. Whisk in flour, onion powder, garlic powder, and thyme until smooth, about 1 minute.
  4. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of whole milk, then add Dijon mustard. Stir constantly until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Mix in shredded cheddar and Gruyère until melted.
  5. Fold cooked pasta and diced ham into the cheese sauce until coated. Transfer to baking dish and smooth the top.
  6. Combine Panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan, then sprinkle over casserole.
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
  8. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 10mg

Notes

Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or broccoli for extra nutrition.

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