Mother's Ham Casserole

Comforting, creamy, and full of nostalgic flavors, Mother's Ham Casserole is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for family dinners or special gatherings. This easy-to-make recipe combines tender rotini pasta, succulent diced ham, and vibrant peas, all smothered in a rich, homemade cheddar cheese sauce. Topped with optional crispy breadcrumbs for added texture, this baked dish is a warm hug in casserole form. With just 20 minutes of prep time and basic pantry staples like butter, flour, milk, and cheese, you can create a hearty meal that serves six. Whether you're making use of leftover ham or planning ahead for a potluck, this ham casserole delivers creamy comfort and irresistible flavor in every bite. Keywords: ham casserole, creamy pasta, baked casserole recipe, family dinner ideas, leftover ham recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked ham, diced
• 3 cups rotini pasta (or any short pasta)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 0.5 cups bread crumbs (optional for topping)
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter (for breadcrumb topping)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set it aside.

Step 2

Cook the rotini pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 4

Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook the mixture for 3-5 minutes until it thickens.

Step 5

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and grated parmesan until fully melted and smooth.

Step 6

Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced ham, peas, and cheese sauce. Mix until everything is evenly coated.

Step 8

Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

If using the optional breadcrumb topping, mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the top is golden brown.

Step 11

Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1792.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3805.7

Total Fat 184.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 98.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 679.0mg	0%
Sodium 10906.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 311.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.5g	0%
Total Sugars 30.3g
Protein 236.9g	0%

Vitamin D 48.0IU	0%
Calcium 2224.7mg	0%
Iron 16.3mg	0%
Potassium 2417.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.1%

Protein: 24.6%

Carbs: 32.4%