This ham and noodle casserole is something the whole family will love. It’s a hearty, savory dish with a crispy topping that adds a whole new layer of flavor and texture to this classic comfort food.
Table of Contents
Unlike many other cheesy noodle recipes, this one is not overly creamy or rich. It’s packed with flavor but has a lighter, homemade creamy sauce that really complements the hearty ham. And the best part? No canned soups are involved; you’ll make your own easy creamy sauce from scratch.
Love hearty ham dishes? Then you need to try my Bisquick quiche recipe! Or how about a comforting ham and bean soup? And if you’re a fan of using your slow cooker, my crock pot ham is a winner.
My mom received a cookbook for Christmas in 1976 and in that cookbook, I found this recipe. I was looking for a unique hearty protein mac and cheese casserole that was easy to make from scratch on weeknights. This recipe is it!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Family Favorite: This ham and noodle casserole is a hit with the whole family. It’s cozy, comforting, and incredibly delicious, making it a go-to recipe for busy weeknights.
- Comfort Food: The combination of tender ham, creamy sauce, and cheesy topping makes this casserole the ultimate comfort food. It’s like a warm hug in a dish!
- Incredible Flavor: Don’t let the simple ingredients fool you—this casserole is bursting with flavor. The creamy, cheesy sauce and the golden, crispy crust on top take this dish to the next level.
- Leftovers Made Delicious: If you have leftover ham, this casserole is the perfect way to give it a delicious new life. It’s a win-win!
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Key Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni: These will be the base of our casserole, providing a soft and chewy texture to contrast the other ingredients.
- Butter: This will add a rich, buttery flavor to the dish and help to sauté our minced onion. We’ll also use it in the topping.
- Minced Onion: It will add a savory, aromatic flavor to the casserole, enhancing the overall dish.
- All-Purpose Flour: This will be used to thicken the sauce, giving the casserole a creamy and smooth consistency.
- Dry Mustard: It adds a tangy, slightly spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with the ham and cheese.
- Salt and Ground Pepper: These will season the dish, bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Milk: It’ll help us get the right consistency in our delicious homemade cheese sauce.
- Ham: It will add a smoky, savory flavor and a meaty texture to the casserole.
- Cheddar Cheese: This will melt into the sauce, giving the casserole a rich, cheesy flavor and a gooey texture. We’ll also use it in the topping for extra cheesiness.
- Breadcrumb: It will be used to make the topping for the casserole, adding a crunchy texture and a buttery flavor.
Equipment
- Stockpot – You’ll need this to melt the butter and mix the onion, flour, mustard, salt, and pepper. It’s also where you’ll slowly add the milk and cook the sauce until smooth.
- 2 Quart Casserole Dish – This is where the entire casserole will be assembled and baked. Make sure to grease it before adding the ingredients.
How to Make Ham And Noodle Casserole
Preparation
Before you start, preheat your oven to 400˚F and grease a 2 quart casserole dish. This will make sure that your casserole doesn’t stick to the dish and that your oven is at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake.
Step 1 – Cook the Macaroni
Your first step is to cook the macaroni. Simply follow the directions on the box. Once they are cooked, drain them and set them aside.
Step 2 – Make the Cheese Sauce
In a stockpot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the onion, flour, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix these ingredients well. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring constantly. Cook this mixture over medium heat until it is smooth. You want it to be the consistency of heavy cream. Add the ham and 1 1/2 Cups of the cheese and stir until the cheese is fully melted. Remove from heat.
Step 3 – Combine the Macaroni and Cheese Sauce
Add the cooked macaroni noodles to the greased casserole dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni. Gently stir everything together until the macaroni and ham are coated with the cheese sauce. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the casserole.
Step 4 – Make the Crumbly Topping
In a small bowl, mix together the butter and bread crumbs. Sprinkle over the cheese.
Step 5 – Bake the Casserole
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbly.
Step 6 – Serve
Once the casserole is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, scoop it onto plates and serve. The creamy, cheesy sauce and the tender macaroni make this casserole a satisfying, comforting meal.
Expert Tip
For a deliciously crispy topping on your ham and noodle casserole, try using panko breadcrumbs. Their coarser texture adds a satisfying crunch to every bite.
Recipe Variations
- Extra Cheesy: If you’re a cheese lover, feel free to add more cheddar or even mix in some mozzarella for a gooey, cheesy casserole.
- Add Veggies: While the recipe doesn’t call for it, feel free to add some peas, broccoli, or any other vegetables you like to make it a complete meal.
- Change the Meat: Not a fan of ham? You can easily swap it out for cooked, crumbled bacon or even some cooked, diced chicken for a different flavor.
What to Serve With
- For a comforting and hearty meal, serve your ham and noodle casserole with a side of buttery mashed potatoes and some steamed broccoli. The creamy casserole pairs perfectly with the smooth mashed potatoes, and the broccoli adds a fresh, crunchy element to the dish.
- For a cozy brunch, serve this casserole with a side of your favorite breakfast potatoes and some fresh fruit.
- If you’re hosting a potluck or a big family gathering, this casserole is a real crowd-pleaser. You can pair it with some dinner rolls and a vegetable casserole for a wholesome, comforting meal.
- For a quick and easy lunch, serve this casserole with a side of crusty bread and a simple green salad. The bread is perfect for mopping up any leftover creamy sauce, and the fresh, crisp salad is a great contrast to the rich, cheesy casserole.
Make Ahead Instructions
Making this casserole ahead of time is easy. Simply make it as directed and keep the casserole refrigerated until ready to bake.
Recipe FAQs
You can use any type of ham for this recipe. It’s a great way to use up leftover ham from a holiday dinner, or you can buy a ham steak from the grocery store and dice it up.
Yes, if you don’t have elbow macaroni on hand, feel free to use any other type of pasta. Rotini, penne, or bowtie pasta would all work well in this dish.
If you want to add a little extra flavor to the casserole, you can stir in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the cheese sauce. This will give it a tangy kick. You can also add some chopped fresh herbs like thyme or parsley.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: After enjoying this delicious ham and noodle casserole, you can easily store any leftovers. Simply place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: If you want to save your casserole for longer, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Just make sure to use a freezer-safe container.
- Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen casserole, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Reheating: Once thawed, you can reheat it in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes or until it’s heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
More Casserole Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This ham and noodle casserole recipe yields a hearty dish that can serve 6 to 8 people, making it perfect for a family dinner or a small gathering.
- How to Scale: If you’re expecting more than 8 servings, you can easily double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. You may need to use a larger casserole dish or divide the mixture into two dishes to ensure that it cooks evenly.
Ham and Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour
- ⅓ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 Cups milk
- 1 ½ Cups ham cooked and diced
- 1 ½ Cups cheddar cheese grated
Topping
- ½ Cup cheddar cheese grated
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
- ¾ Cup bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F. Grease a 2 quart casserole dish.
- Cook the macaroni according to the directions found on the box. Drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a stockpot over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the onion, flour, mustard, salt and pepper. Mix well. Slowly add the milk and stir. Cook over medium heat until smooth and thickened stirring constantly. You want the consistency of a thick heavy cream. Add the ham and 1 1/2 Cups of shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted. Remove from heat.
- Add the cooked macaroni to your casserole dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles and mix together gently in the casserole dish. Top with 1/2 Cup of shredded cheese.
- In a small bowl, combine the butter and bread crumbs. Sprinkle over the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated 400˚F oven for 20-30 minutes until the bread crumbs are a golden brown. Serve warm.
