Ham Cheese Casserole Easy With Leftover Ham Wellplated Com

More specifically, my definition is a hybrid of my Grammy’s homemade mac and cheese (you’ll find it in my cookbook!) and my Grandma’s Party Ham Casserole. Both contain noodles, a crispy topping, and unbridled amounts of heavy cream. My grandmothers’ recipes are exactly the sort of dishes you want to curl up with on a chilly evening when the sun sets too early, the wind blows too strong, and you realize that a comforting pasta bake and a pair of sweatpants might be the secret to a lifetime of happiness.

How to Make Ham Casserole

While I still indulge in my grandmothers’ original recipes every now and then, today’s comforting ham casserole is a lighter, more modern version that any family can feel good about enjoying on a regular basis. It’s reasonably healthy and makes fantastic leftovers.

To complement and elevate the ham and cheddar, I added sautéed onion and earthy sage.I kept the irresistible crunchy breadcrumb topping (mandatory) but ditched the cream of mushroom soup.

I’m giddy about the magic that happens between the sage, ham, and cheddar, but my favorite part about this dish is the white sauce. A touch of butter and half-and-half are needed, but the rest of the thickness comes from Greek yogurt and a handful of sharp white cheddar cheese.

The Ingredients

Ham. Always a crowd-pleaser, ham is richly flavored and deliciously savory. It pairs well with cheesy, creamy sauces. It’s also a lean protein that’s rich in vitamins and selenium.

Pasta. To make this casserole extra appealing and hearty. I used whole wheat penne for its nutritional benefits (more minerals like iron) and ideal shape and size. Whole wheat pasta contains more fiber than regular pasta.

Sage. An earthy herb that is the essence of fall and winter. It’s a fantastic complement to the ham and cheesy sauce. Flour. To help thicken the sauce. Milk. I used nonfat milk to keep things light. Half-and-Half. Adds much-needed richness to the sauce without making it too heavy. Nutmeg. Adds a touch of warmth and subtle complexity. Greek Yogurt. For ultra creamy sauce with a hint of tanginess. Greek yogurt also adds protein and calcium to this casserole. Sharp White Cheddar Cheese. Adds a bold, cheesy flavor to the sauce. Breadcrumb Topping. The ultra important finishing touch. The crisp, toasty breadcrumb topping makes this casserole feel special.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate leftover casserole in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days. To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave. To Freeze. Freeze casserole in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Baking Dish. Perfect for making ham casserole. Dutch Oven. A kitchen tool you’ll use on repeat. Small Whisk. A smaller-sized whisk like this one is so much easier to use.

Ham casserole: Doing my grandmothers proud one pan of comfort food at a time! For ham casserole with rice, use ham in place of the cooked, shredded chicken in this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole or add ham to this classic Broccoli Casserole.