This ham and cheese casserole is a comforting and delicious dish that's perfect for a family dinner or a potluck. With its creamy texture and savory flavors, it's sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. The combination of ham, cheese, and pasta creates a hearty meal that's both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, but you may need to pick up cooked ham and shredded cheese if you don't have them on hand. Make sure to get a good quality ham for the best flavor. The bread crumbs can be found in the baking aisle, and you can choose between plain or seasoned depending on your preference.
Ingredients For Ham And Cheese Casserole
Ham: Diced and cooked, this adds a savory and salty flavor to the casserole.
Cheese: Shredded cheese melts into the dish, providing a creamy and rich texture.
Milk: Used to create a creamy base for the casserole.
Pasta: Cooked pasta serves as the hearty foundation of the dish.
Bread crumbs: Mixed with butter to create a crispy topping.
Butter: Melted and combined with bread crumbs for a golden, crunchy finish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of your ham and cheese casserole, consider sautéing the ham in a bit of butter before mixing it with the other ingredients. This will add a rich, savory depth to the dish. Additionally, using a combination of different cheeses such as cheddar and mozzarella can create a more complex and satisfying flavor profile.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cooked ham - Substitute with cooked turkey: Turkey provides a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative for those who prefer poultry.
cooked ham - Substitute with smoked tofu: For a vegetarian option, smoked tofu offers a similar smoky flavor and protein content.
shredded cheese - Substitute with shredded mozzarella: Mozzarella melts well and provides a creamy texture, making it a good alternative to other cheeses.
shredded cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: For a dairy-free option, nutritional yeast gives a cheesy flavor without the dairy.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk provides a similar consistency and is a good option for those who are lactose intolerant.
milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk offers a rich and creamy texture, suitable for those looking for a dairy-free alternative.
cooked pasta - Substitute with cooked quinoa: Quinoa is a gluten-free option that provides a similar texture and additional protein.
cooked pasta - Substitute with zucchini noodles: For a low-carb option, zucchini noodles offer a similar texture and are a healthy alternative.
bread crumbs - Substitute with crushed cornflakes: Crushed cornflakes provide a similar crunchy texture and are a gluten-free option.
bread crumbs - Substitute with panko: Panko breadcrumbs offer a lighter, crispier texture compared to regular breadcrumbs.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil provides a similar richness and is a healthier fat alternative.
butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil offers a similar consistency and is a good option for those looking for a dairy-free substitute.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Casserole
How to Store or Freeze This Casserole
Allow the ham and cheese casserole to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
For short-term storage, transfer the casserole to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or microwave individual portions.
For freezing, wrap the entire baking dish tightly with plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Alternatively, portion the casserole into individual servings and place them in freezer-safe containers or bags. This makes it easy to reheat only what you need.
Label the containers with the date and contents to keep track of freshness. The casserole can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the top is crispy.
For a quicker option, microwave individual portions from frozen. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or wrap to retain moisture, and heat on medium power, checking and stirring every few minutes until hot.
To maintain the crispy topping, consider adding a fresh layer of bread crumbs mixed with a bit of melted butter before reheating in the oven. This will revive the delightful crunch that makes the dish so satisfying.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the ham and cheese casserole in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat for about 20-25 minutes or until the casserole is heated through. For a crispy top, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.
Microwave Method: Transfer a portion of the casserole to a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. If needed, continue heating in 30-second intervals until hot.
Stovetop Method: Place the leftover ham and cheese casserole in a non-stick skillet. Add a splash of milk or broth to keep it moist. Cover the skillet and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the casserole is warmed through.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in a toaster oven-safe dish. Cover with aluminum foil and heat for 15-20 minutes. For a crispy topping, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the ham and cheese casserole in an air fryer-safe dish. Heat for 10-15 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't overcook. This method will give you a nice, crispy top.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the casserole at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the ham, cheese, milk, and cooked pasta.
Baking dish: The container where the casserole mixture is poured and baked.
Small bowl: Used to mix the bread crumbs with melted butter.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the ingredients like ham, cheese, milk, and pasta accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the melted butter accurately.
Wooden spoon: Used to stir and combine the ingredients in the mixing bowl.
Spatula: Used to spread the mixture evenly in the baking dish and to sprinkle the bread crumb mixture on top.
Knife: Used to dice the cooked ham into small pieces.
Cutting board: Provides a surface to safely dice the cooked ham.
Oven mitts: Used to safely handle the hot baking dish when removing it from the oven.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-cook the pasta: Cook the pasta in advance and store it in the fridge. This way, you can quickly combine it with other ingredients when you're ready to make the casserole.
Use pre-diced ham: Buy pre-diced ham from the store to save time on chopping. It’s a quick and easy way to get the right size pieces without extra effort.
Shred cheese ahead: Shred the cheese ahead of time and store it in an airtight container. This will save you a step when assembling the casserole.
Prepare bread crumbs: Mix the bread crumbs with melted butter in advance and store them in a sealed container. This way, you can just sprinkle them on top when you're ready to bake.
Ham and Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups Cooked ham, diced
- 2 cups Shredded cheese
- 1 cup Milk
- 2 cups Cooked pasta
- 1 cup Bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon Butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine ham, cheese, milk, and cooked pasta.
- Pour mixture into a baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix bread crumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle over the casserole.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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