Baked Ham Noodle Casserole with Peas

Are you ready for a new dinner recipe? This ham and noodle casserole is my first one for 2018, and I think it’s a pretty good start to the new year! You’ll love this comfort food dinner recipe. It has a creamy cheese sauce and is topped with crispy breadcrumbs. Kids and adults both give it a thumbs up!

This ham and pea pasta was a big hit at our house. My 6-year-old said it was the best dinner he ever had all year. I asked him to clarify if he meant in the last 365 days or so far in 2018 since it was still the first week of January. He said it was the best for 2017 or 2018, so that’s pretty dang good. Granted, he says whatever he is eating, doing, or watching at the time is the best ever, but let’s go with it anyway.

It only takes about 15 minutes to make this ham and cheese casserole with pasta, not counting the time it takes the water to come to a boil. I once saw a tip to start a big pot of water boiling when you get home from work so it’s ready whenever you want to start cooking dinner. I don’t need boiling water most nights, but I still think it’s a clever idea! If you don’t salt the water, you could always use it to make tea or something.

If you are on a gluten-free diet like me, you can still enjoy this recipe! I used gluten-free flour, pasta, and breadcrumbs, and it turned out perfectly.

This casserole is basically baked mac and cheese with ham and peas. If you want to make it vegetarian, you can follow it exactly without the ham, or if you don’t like peas, you could leave those out too. Or, you can make the sauce without any stir-ins for white mac and cheese! This recipe is really versatile, so be sure to keep it on your shortlist of dinners. Change up the meat and veggies to transform it into a new creation! I hope this cheesy pasta casserole becomes a favorite at your house too.

Ham and Noodle Casserole with Peas

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This baked mac and cheese with ham and peas is a favorite dinner of kids and adults!

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

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• 12 ounces bite-sized pasta (gluten-free OK)
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour (gluten-free OK)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Italian blend cheese
• 7 ounces ham steak cubed
• 1 cup frozen peas

Topping

• 1/2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free OK)

 

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Instructions

1. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13″ baking dish with cooking spray, and set aside.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions, and drain.
3. While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add flour to melted butter, and whisk until combined.
4. Whisk milk into flour mixture about a half cup at a time, making sure the consistency is smooth before adding more liquid. Bring this sauce base to a low simmer.
5. Stir cheese, ham, and peas into sauce until cheese is melted. (The peas can be added while still frozen.) Stir in cooked pasta until combined well, and transfer to prepared baking dish.
6. Melt butter in a microwave-safe dish in the microwave (or on the stove if you prefer). Stir breadcrumbs into the melted butter.
7. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over the pasta in the baking dish, and sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until top is golden brown and edges are bubbly. Serve right away.

 

• Author: Andi
• Prep Time: 15
• Cook Time: 20