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…
Recipes for Leftover Ham
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Easy Cheesy Pasta and Ham
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 1 casserole 1x
Description
Quick weeknight meal or perfect for the freezer. Recipe from PocketChangeGourmet.com
Ingredients
- 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
- Spray 13×9 pan with nonstick spray, set aside.
- Cook the pasta according to directions on the box, drain and return to pan
- Grate the cheese, reserving 1/4 cup and cut the ham
- Warm the milk in the microwave, set aside
- In a large skillet, melt the butter, add the flour and whisk for one minute
- Slowly add the milk, whisk constantly.
- Turn the heat up to medium and stir until thickened
- Slowly add the cheese, whisk until melted after each addition
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper
- Stir ham and cheese sauce into the pasta, mix well
- Transfer to baking dish and spread evenly
- Sprinkle with reserved cheese
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes or until bubbly
Cooking Direction
- If you make this meal ahead, take the dish from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Bake, covered for 20 – 30 minutes or until bubbly
Freezing Directions
- After dish is cool, wrap tightly with foil, label and freeze.
- 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
22 Comments
Saving this recipe! I like Pasta dishes! =)
Thanks!
Melissa
Thanks Melissa! Let us know what you think!
I’m so excited to use this!! It looks so delicious i know for sure that I’ll love it!!!
I found your recipe via Pinterest. And I’m so glad that I did!
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
Is 6 oz. pasta correct or is that a typo that should say 16oz.?
Sorry Joan, you are right, it’s a typo. 16 ounce box of pasta.
Thanks! Making it as part of my Christmas Eve buffet tonight. Merry Christmas 🙂
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
Great recipe. Easier than my Mac and Cheese. Kids loved it, I added a little dry mustard and it was perfect.
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
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
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!
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.
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.
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.