This Easy Cheesy Pasta and Ham is quick, easy, cheesy and a great way to use up leftover ham. And better yet, you can make two casseroles, serve one now and freeze one for later.

Years ago I did a review on the Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms cookbook, and found it packed full of delicious recipes. This Easy Cheesy Pasta and Ham is a take on one of the recipes I shared.

The original recipe makes 2 baking dishes, one to eat now and one to freeze and eat later. But you can certainly cut the recipe in half, like I did, and have just one.

Here are some more recipes to use up leftover ham…

Leftover Ham Recipes on PocketChangeGourmet.com

Recipes for Leftover Ham 

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Easy Cheesy Pasta and Ham


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3.8 from 4 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 mins
  • Yield: 1 casserole 1x

Description

Quick weeknight meal or perfect for the freezer. Recipe from PocketChangeGourmet.com


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (16 oz) box rotini pasta, uncooked
  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups ham, cubed

Instructions

  1. Spray 13×9 pan with nonstick spray, set aside.
  2. Cook the pasta according to directions on the box, drain and return to pan
  3. Grate the cheese, reserving 1/4 cup and cut the ham
  4. Warm the milk in the microwave, set aside
  5. In a large skillet, melt the butter, add the flour and whisk for one minute
  6. Slowly add the milk, whisk constantly.
  7. Turn the heat up to medium and stir until thickened
  8. Slowly add the cheese, whisk until melted after each addition
  9. Season the sauce with salt and pepper
  10. Stir ham and cheese sauce into the pasta, mix well
  11. Transfer to baking dish and spread evenly
  12. Sprinkle with reserved cheese
  13. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes or until bubbly

Cooking Direction

  1. If you make this meal ahead, take the dish from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  3. Bake, covered for 20 – 30 minutes or until bubbly

Freezing Directions

  1. After dish is cool, wrap tightly with foil, label and freeze.
  2. Remove from freezer 24 hours before cooking

Notes

This recipe can easily be doubled for 2 baking dishes, 1 to eat now and 1 to freeze for later.

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
Author

22 Comments

  1. I’m so excited to use this!! It looks so delicious i know for sure that I’ll love it!!!

  2. Do you bake it before you freeze it or let it cool then put in freezer and follow directions accordingly? Thanks

    • Hi Tracy, typically we freeze casseroles before cooking, then thaw in the fridge and cook following directions. However, you could certainly cook it first, cool, then freeze.
      Happy Cooking!
      ~Liz

      • Thanks! Making it as part of my Christmas Eve buffet tonight. Merry Christmas 🙂

  3. I am hoping to make this tonight with our leftover Christmas ham. Do you think it would work with egg noodles or elbow macaroni? I am not wanting to hit the stores the day after Christmas! 🙂

    • Oh sure Mandy, it will work with any type of pasta. Happy Cooking!
      ~Liz

  4. Great recipe. Easier than my Mac and Cheese. Kids loved it, I added a little dry mustard and it was perfect.

  5. My six year old son loves to look at recipes and he saw this one and decided he wanted to make it for supper. We made it together for the whole family and it was a hit. My son was so proud. The recipe is very versatile and you could do many variations. Definitely will be making this again.

    • That’s just awesome to hear Sabreena! I love it when one of our recipes can be a family affair!
      Happy Cooking!
      ~Liz

  6. So I followed your directions on thawing, but it came out of the freezer over 24 hours before attempting to cook, and it has been now over 50 minutes in the oven at 350, but is still actually frozen solid in the middle. I’m starting to think it’s not a typo to cook it for 305 minutes.






    • Hi, I’m sorry you had trouble with baking the casserole. And thank you for catching the typo.
      ~Liz

  7. Stumbled upon your website via Pinterest! I love it! I see you guys are based out of NW Indiana. I am originally from Hobart, but now live in Montana. Tried the Easy Cheesy Pasta Ham-it rocked! I did double the cheese and ham at my hubby’s request. It froze beautifully, and was great for a busy weeknight.

    • We’re glad you both liked it! We hope things are going well in Montana!

  8. I made this before and kind thought it was bland, my husband requested it again and my son and I added some garlic powder to the sauce and that really added something special to it. We’re hoping my husband likes it too but we are excited.






  9. It’s in my oven now. I tasted before it went in. Yummy. Can’t wait till it’s done. I made half the recipe.






  10. I just made this last night and it was a big hit. Even my pick eater who hates ham had seconds. The only thing I did differently was to add some dry mustard. Other than that, followed the recipe. Will definitely make again.






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