Spam Pasta Casserole

Dive into comfort food heaven with this irresistibly creamy Spam Pasta Casserole, a quick and hearty dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Featuring tender penne pasta and golden, crispy Spam cubes smothered in a rich, homemade cheddar-Parmesan cheese sauce, this crowd-pleasing casserole is topped with a crunchy layer of buttery panko breadcrumbs for the ultimate texture contrast. Seasoned with garlic, onion powder, and a hint of Italian herbs, every bite bursts with savory flavor. Ready in just 45 minutes and ideal for feeding the family, this easy, oven-baked dish will have everyone coming back for seconds. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a bright, herby garnish.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 12 oz Spam (original or flavored)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese
• 0.75 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

While the pasta is cooking, cut the Spam into small cubes.

Step 4

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the Spam cubes until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly to make a roux.

Step 6

Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to combine. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low.

Step 7

Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 8

Add the cooked pasta and browned Spam to the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is evenly coated.

Step 9

Pour the pasta and Spam mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out in an even layer.

Step 10

In a small bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 11

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

Step 12

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Step 13

Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1550.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4164.2

Total Fat 240.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 116.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 635.5mg	0%
Sodium 8207.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 334.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.2g	0%
Total Sugars 32.7g
Protein 181.9g	0%

Vitamin D 214.7IU	0%
Calcium 2727.3mg	0%
Iron 18.1mg	0%
Potassium 2010.7mg	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: 51.1%

Protein: 17.2%

Carbs: 31.7%