Ham and Cheese Casserole

This Ham and Cheese Casserole is made with diced ham, cheesy sauce and rotini pasta then topped with buttery bread crumbs for an easy meal that will quickly become a family favorite!

What could be more delicious than ham, cheese, and pasta? This hearty one-pan meal is the best comfort food that combines all the simple ingredients in one baking dish that is then baked in the oven for a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love. 

Jump to:

• Ingredients Needed
• How To Make Ham and Cheese Casserole
• How To Store Casserole and Reheat
• Casserole Variations and Substitutions
• Ham and Cheese Casserole Recipe

Some days it's hard to come up with dinner ideas that everyone will eat. This is one of those casseroles that even picky eaters will usually eat.

Pasta and homemade cheese sauce is always a winning combination and it's easy to pick out the ham if they don't like it. Ask me how I know!

Need side dish ideas to go along with this casserole? I like to serve this with a side of Southern Green Beans and these Homemade Dinner Rolls. A simple side salad is another great option.

Ingredients Needed

See printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

This easy baked dinner can be made with just a few minutes of prep work and simple ingredients for a quick flavorful casserole.

• Rotini - I used Rotini but you can use any pasta with ridges or curls that allows the creamy sauce to cling to it.
• Butter - Make sure to use butter and not margarine for best flavor.
• Flour - All purpose flour to help thicken the sauce.
• Seasoning - Garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
• Milk - I recommend using whole milk for creamy sauce.
• Dijon Mustard - Used to flavor the sauce.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Sharp cheddar gives the sauce lots of flavor.
• Ham - You can use leftover ham or store-bought diced ham.
• Breadcrumbs - Use homemade breadcrumbs or your favorite store bought brand.

Recommended Kitchen Tools (Affiliate links).

• Casserole Dish - If you need a good basic casserole dish with a lid I like this OXO 3 Qt Baking Dish. Perfect for taking a casserole to a friend or potluck.
• Liquid Measuring Cups - I use this 3-piece Glass Pyrex set that includes 1, 2 and 4-Cup glass measuring cups.
• Saucepan - This Cuisinart Stainless saucepan with lid is one I use a lot in my kitchen.
• Dish Towels - These are my favorite and I have them in yellow.

How To Make Ham and Cheese Casserole

This dish is made with such simple ingredients, and it’s also super easy to prepare! In fact, you can have this dinner prepped and in the oven in just 15 minutes.

Start by preheating the oven and greasing the baking dish. Then prepare the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta is cooking make the cheese sauce on the stovetop by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.

When the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk to combine. Continue stirring until the mixture begins to bubble and brown.

Next pour the milk into the pan and continue cooking over medium low heat. Keep stirring the mixture constantly to prevent lumps from forming and cook until the milk begins to simmer.

Once bubbles start to form in the milk, remove the pan from heat and stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, and half the shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

Pour the cooked pasta in an even layer in a 9x13 baking dish. Top the pasta with the cubed ham.

Spread the cheese sauce over the top of the ham and rotini, stirring lightly to mix the sauce with the pasta. Top with layer of shredded cheese.

To prepare the breadcrumb topping, stir together melted butter and the breadcrumbs until the mixture begins to stick together. After that sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top of the casserole.

Place the dish in the oven to bake for around 30 minutes, until the sauce begins to bubble and the breadcrumbs on top are golden brown. Allow the casserole to rest for around 10 minutes before serving.

How To Store Casserole and Reheat

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the stove or microwave. Pasta tends to soak up the sauce so you can a little milk if the pasta seems dry.

Casserole Variations and Substitutions

This casserole is easy to make and easy to customize. Here are a few simple variations and substitution ideas to try.

• Use different pasta. Rotini is a fun addition to this casserole. Any type of pasta will pair perfectly with the ham and cheese sauce. In addition to rotini, you can also use penne, shells, elbow macaroni, or even fettuccini.
• Add some vegetables. This easy dinner is perfect family dinner thanks to the cheesy sauce on top. But if you want to make it a more well rounded dinner you can always mix in a few vegetables before baking. Try adding some corn, green beans, peas, carrots or mushrooms.
• Try other cheeses. Sharp cheddar cheese is a great way to add tons of flavor to your casserole. If you don’t have any on hand, you could replace with other varieties, like mild cheddar, Monterrey jack, gruyere, or mozzarella.

Frequently Asked Questions

I hope you enjoy this easy Ham and Cheese Casserole recipe! If you try it, please come back and rate it and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from you!