A simple, comforting baked casserole that uses leftover ham, pasta, and a cheesy sauce for an easy weeknight meal.
Author:Carla Davis
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:40 min
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups cooked ham, diced
8 ounces egg noodles or penne pasta
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup frozen broccoli florets, thawed (optional)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute.
Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes. Do not let it boil rapidly.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the cream of chicken soup, Dijon mustard, pepper, and salt.
Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth. If you are using broccoli, stir it in now.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced ham, and the cheese sauce. Mix gently until everything is coated.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This recipe is a great alternative to relying on meal planning services.
Notes
If you prefer a sharper flavor, substitute cream of mushroom soup for the cream of chicken soup.
For extra richness, add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce.
If you are looking for other ways to use up leftovers, consider this recipe as a simple alternative to meal delivery companies.