Easy Ham and Noodle Casserole (2024)

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ByLana Stuart Published: Last Updated:

5 from 1 vote

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Use your leftover Easter ham to whip up a delicious weeknight dinner with my recipe for Easy Ham and Noodle Casserole! This comfort food dish features egg noodles and ham in a cheesy, creamy sauce.

When it comes to cozy, comforting recipes, few dishes can compete with a good, old-fashioned casserole. One of my favorite delicious casseroles is this ham and noodle recipe. It’s a fantastic way to turn a little bit of leftover ham into a mouthwatering meal that everyone will enjoy.

Easy Ham and Noodle Casserole (1)

Whether you’re cooking for the family or a neighborly get-together, or you need a great dish to take to a church potluck, this recipe is definitely a winner.

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make with pantry ingredients.
  • It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, and it’s packed with flavor!
  • A great way to repurpose that leftover holiday ham.

You’ll also find this recipe in my cookbook!

You can see Ham and Noodle Casserole on page 195 of my cookbook, My Southern Table! Get your signed copy today.

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🛒 Ingredient Notes

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  • Medium Egg Noodles – These make up the bulk of the casserole and blend so well with the cheese and ham.
  • Butter – Of course, it’s used to saute the vegetables, but it also adds greatly to the overall flavor of the dish.
  • Green Pepper and Onion – Two of the best aromatic vegetables for enriching any savory recipe.
  • Sour Cream – Adds its unmistakable creaminess and tanginess to the sauce.
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup – A well-known and well-loved shortcut to making any saucy casserole, particularly these beloved comfort food casseroles.
  • Ham – Use leftover ham for a budget-friendly option, or grab a package of diced, pre-cooked ham from the store.
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese – Melts beautifully and adds its own richness to the sauce. I always prefer mine to be freshly grated from a block of cheese, but in this case, pre-shredded cheese will work out fine.

The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

🥄 How to Make Ham and Noodle Casserole

  1. Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain well and set aside.
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  1. While the noodles cook, add the butter to a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pepper and onion and saute until barely tender.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the sauteed pepper and onion, sour cream, and soup.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter or grease a 9×13 baking pan or a 3.5 to 4 quart casserole dish.
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  1. In the prepared baking dish, layer half each of the noodles, ham, soup mixture, and cheese. Repeat with the remaining ingredients ending with the remaining cheese on top.
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  1. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving.

⚠️ Troubleshooting Tips

  • If your casserole seems too dry or just not quite creamy enough, try adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to the sauce mixture before baking.
  • If the casserole seems a little too wet when you take it out of the oven, it may be because the noodles were not drained well enough. Make sure to allow the noodles to drain thoroughly to remove any excess water.
  • If the cheese on top seems to be browning too quickly, tent the casserole loosely with foil.

🔀 Recipe Variations

  • Swap out the ham for cooked chicken or turkey; substitute cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom.
  • Add some diced vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, or peas for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • Use wide egg noodles if you prefer.
  • Stir a handful of fresh spinach into the mixture.
  • Add a touch of garlic powder or a bit of finely minced fresh garlic.
  • Swap out the sharp cheddar for Swiss cheese, Gruyere, or Monterey Jack.
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🍽️ How I Serve Leftover Ham Casserole

This ham and noodle casserole makes a complete meal when you pair it with a fresh salad and your favorite garlic bread. Or serve it with a green vegetable such as steamed broccoli or green beans and rolls on the side.

🍚 How I Store the Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave individual portions until heated through. Or cover the entire casserole with aluminum foil and heat it in the oven at 350°F until bubbly.

❓ Questions About Ham and Noodle Casserole

Can I use frozen egg noodles instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen egg noodles will work just fine in this recipe. Just be sure to cook them according to the package instructions and drain well before adding them to the casserole.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Simply prepare the casserole as directed, but do not bake it. Instead, cover tightly with foil and freeze. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Can I use low-fat sour cream or soup?

You sure can! Feel free to use light versions of sour cream and cream of mushroom soup if you prefer. The flavor may be slightly different, but the overall dish will still be delicious.

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Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Easy Ham and Noodle Casserole

Use your leftover Easter ham to make a delicious weeknight dinner with my recipe for Easy Ham and Noodle Casserole!

5 from 1 vote

Print It Rate It Save

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 486kcal

Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces medium egg noodles cooked and drained
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup green pepper finely diced
  • ½ cup onion finely diced
  • 8 ounces sour cream
  • 10.5 ounces canned cream of mushroom soup
  • 2 cups chopped or diced ham
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain well and set aside.

  • While the noodles cook, add the butter to a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pepper and onion and saute until barely tender.

  • In a large bowl, combine the sauteed pepper and onion, sour cream, and soup.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter or grease a 9×13 baking pan or a 3.5 to 4 quart casserole dish.

  • In the baking dish, layer half each of the noodles, ham, soup mixture, and cheese. Repeat with the remaining ingredients ending with the remaining cheese on top.

  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave individual portions until heated through. Or cover the entire casserole with aluminum foil and heat it in the oven at 350°F until bubbly.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 | Calories 486kcal | Carbohydrates 35g | Protein 24g | Fat 28g | Saturated Fat 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat 1g | Monounsaturated Fat 6g | Trans Fat 0.2g | Cholesterol 125mg | Sodium 1532mg | Potassium 276mg | Fiber 2g | Sugar 4g | Vitamin A 800IU | Vitamin C 11mg | Calcium 326mg | Iron 1mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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Lana Stuart

Lana Stuart is the cook, writer, and founder of Lana’s Cooking. Lana has been cooking since she was tall enough to reach the stove and started this blog in 2009 to share her delicious home cooking recipes. You'll find about 700 recipes here so there's sure to be something your family will like!
More About Lana →

Easy Ham and Noodle Casserole (2024)

FAQs

Do you cook noodles before adding to casserole? ›

Do you cook the noodles before adding them to the casserole? Yes, you should cook the egg noodles until they're al dente before combining with the other ingredients.

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.

Should you boil pasta before pasta bake? ›

To avoid mushy baked pasta, seriously undercook the pasta in its boiling phase. Perry lets the pasta boil for just five minutes before draining it well and tossing it in the sauce. Because the pasta's going into a hot sauce in a hot oven, it'll continue to cook long after it's been drained.

Should I cook my noodles in the sauce? ›

It also means tender noodles, sauce with the perfect consistency, and easy cleanup.

Do you bake casseroles covered or uncovered? ›

Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered. If you like a crisper, browner top, be sure the casserole is uncovered for at least part of the bake time.

How can I improve my casserole flavor? ›

Casseroles can really shine when they achieve a harmonious balance of flavors. Sweet, salty, spicy, and acidic elements should blend well and complement each other. Add ingredients like caramelized onions, olives, or lemon zest to give your casserole a depth of flavor.

What are the 5 parts needed for a casserole? ›

Not every single casserole has all of them, but as a rule of thumb, here's what to look for: a starch, a binding agent or sauce, and a protein or vegetable. Many casseroles also have both vegetables and proteins, as well as a crunchy element to give some textural contrast, and cheese.

Can I put uncooked pasta in the oven? ›

To a 9×13 baking dish, add your uncooked pasta, sauce, broth, cream of choice, and spices. Mix the ingredients until well combined. Cover the baking dish with foil (see note) and place your dish in the oven in the center of your rack. Bake for 40 minutes.

Do you cook noodles all the way before baking? ›

Even though we're not boiling a pot, our pasta still needs liquid to cook. In your baking dish, combine your noodles with all of your other ingredients and around ½ a cup of water. The noodles will absorb the water as they cook. The final dish will be saucy and moist, but not watery.

Do you have to boil noodles to cook them? ›

Turns out, you don't have to wait for a big pot of water to boil for the best-tasting pasta. The winning method is, in some ways, an amalgamation of all of the best characteristics of the methods tested. The pasta begins in cold water, soaking up the moisture before the heat activates the starches.

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