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Ham and Cheese Pasta Casserole

By Ashley McCrary

Published Nov 02, 2022 Updated Jul 11, 2023

CFComfort Food

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What Makes This Recipe Great

I love recipes that are quick and easy to make, and that sneak in protein and veggies without the kids complaining! This ham mac and cheese casserole combines ham, cheese, and pasta to create a simple and delicious dish that everyone will love.

This is an easy recipe that only takes 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook. You can serve it for dinner, take it to a gathering, or serve it as a holiday side dish.

Ingredient Notes

Cubed Ham: I used Farmland’s fully cooked cubed ham. If you have leftover ham from a holiday meal, this will also work!

Pasta: Use corkscrew pasta, macaroni, or gluten-free pasta of choice, cooked according to the package. Most types of pasta will work with this recipe.

Dairy: I use whole milk, heavy cream, regular butter, and shredded cheese for this recipe. If you are dairy free you can substitute non-dairy alternatives. 

Frozen Peas: If don’t prefer peas, you can substitute cooked and chopped broccoli, or omit the vegetable altogether. 

Crunchy Topping (Optional)

Cornflakes: You can use Kellogg’s Cornflakes cereal or a generic alternative. 

Seasonings: Onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. 

Butter: Use regular butter or vegan butter if you prefer.

Recipe Step by Step

Ham and Cheese Pasta

1. Cook macaroni or desired pasta according to the package directions. 
2. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for a few minutes. Slowly add in milk and whisk to prevent lumping.  
3. Cook for 3-5 minutes, frequently whisking until the mixture is thick.
4. Add in the cooked pasta along with the cheese and salt and black pepper. Mix until the cheese is melted and smooth.
5. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the cubed ham and frozen peas. Let sit until peas and ham are warm. Serve the macaroni and cheese by itself, or complete the next step for additional flavor. 

Baked with Cornflake Mixture

6. OPTIONAL: Combine crushed cornflakes, melted butter, and seasoning in a small bowl and mix until combined. Sprinkle this mixture on top of mac and cheese.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer the dish to a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish. 
8. Bake for 30 minutes in a 350°F oven. Serve.

Mac’s Pro Tips

Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free alternatives to butter, milk, cream, and cheese in the same quantities.

Storage: Store your leftover ham mac and cheese in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Add a little butter and reheat individual portions in the microwave. Give it a good stir and serve.

Recipe FAQs

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Ham Mac and Cheese Casserole

By: Ashley McCrary

This ham and cheese pasta casserole is a creamy, cheesy, 40-minute recipe that is loved by kids and adults! Topped with a crunchy cornflake mixture and baked in the oven, this easy pasta recipe will be on repeat!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 -8 servings

Ingredients  

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• ▢ 1 16-oz. package Farmland Fully Cooked Cubed Ham
• ▢ 8 oz corkscrew pasta or gluten-free pasta of choice cooked according to the package
• ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
• ▢ 2 cups whole milk
• ▢ 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• ▢ 2 ½-3 cups shredded cheese
• ▢ 1 8-oz. bag frozen peas
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ Crunchy Topping Optional
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tablespoon butter melted
• ▢ 1 3/4 cups cornflakes cereal crushed
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

Pasta

• Cook macaroni or desired pasta according to the package directions. 
• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for a few minutes. Slowly add in milk and whisk to prevent lumping.  
• Cook for 3-5 minutes, frequently whisking until the mixture is thick.
• Add in the cooked pasta along with the cheese and salt and black pepper. Mix until the cheese is melted and smooth.
• Remove the pot from heat and stir in the cubed ham and frozen peas. Let sit until peas and ham are warm. Serve the macaroni and cheese by itself, or complete the next step for additional flavor. 
• Cornflake Mixture
• OPTIONAL: Combine crushed cornflakes, melted butter, and seasoning in a small bowl and mix until combined. Sprinkle this mixture on top of mac and cheese.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer the dish to a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish. 
• Bake for 30 minutes in a 350°F oven. Serve.

Video

Notes

Nutrition Facts: The Nutrition facts for this recipe include the crunchy cornflake topping. 

Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free alternatives to butter, milk, cream, and cheese in the same quantities.

Storage: Store your leftover ham mac and cheese in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Add a little butter and reheat individual portions in the microwave. Give it a good stir and serve!

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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