Patrick Oconnell
A cheese and ham casserole is a hearty, creamy dish that is perfect for using up leftover ham. It is a family-friendly meal that can be customised with different cheeses, vegetables, or meats. To make a cheese and ham casserole, you will need diced ham, pasta, cheese, butter, flour, milk, and seasonings. The dish is assembled in layers and baked in the oven. It is often served with a fresh side such as a salad or vegetables.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Ham, cheese, pasta |
| Type of cheese | Cheddar, gouda, gruyere, parmesan, mozzarella, swiss, cream cheese, goat cheese, Monterey Jack |
| Type of pasta | Rotini, penne, shells, egg noodles, farfalle, corkscrew |
| Other ingredients | Butter, flour, milk, cream, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, scallions, broccoli, peas, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mustard, thyme, salt, pepper, parsley, heavy cream, sour cream, ham steak, ham cubes, ham slices, ham chunks, breadcrumbs, broth, onion powder, garlic powder, Dijon mustard, Boursin cheese, white onion, shallot, panko breadcrumbs, gouda cheese, breadcrumbs, breadcrumbs, butter, parsley, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, butter, parsley, frozen hash brown potatoes, pre-cooked ham steak, sharp cheddar cheese, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, butter, salt, pepper, onion, hash browns, ham, cheese, sour cream, butter, salt, pepper, onion, condensed soup, sour cream, cheese, ham, noodles, egg noodles, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheese, ham, noodles, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper |
| Type of dish | Casserole, comfort food, family meal, weeknight dinner, holiday meal, leftover dish, kid-friendly dish, make-ahead meal, side dish |
| Goes well with | Salads, crusty Italian bread, steamed vegetables, broccoli, carrots, green beans, broccolini, asparagus, cucumber dill salad, Caesar salad, tomato salad, potato chips |
What You'll Learn
What type of ham to use
When it comes to the type of ham to use in your cheese and ham casserole, there are a few options to consider.
Firstly, you can use leftover ham. This is a great way to use up any ham you might have lingering in the fridge from a previous meal. Leftover ham can be diced or shredded and thrown into your casserole, adding a tasty salty kick to the dish.
If you don't have any leftover ham, you can buy ham steaks or a small boneless ham from the grocery store. These can be diced or shredded to your desired consistency. You could also use deli ham, but make sure it is cut into thick slices so that you can cut it into cubes.
When preparing the ham for your casserole, it is worth bearing in mind that some recipes call for the ham to be mixed in with the other ingredients, while others use the ham as a topping. So, depending on the recipe you choose, you might want to cut your ham into larger or smaller pieces.
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What type of cheese to use
When it comes to cheese, there are a few options to consider for a ham and cheese casserole.
A combination of cheddar, gruyere (or Swiss cheese), and parmesan is a great place to start. These three cheeses offer a range of flavours and textures that will complement the ham. The sharp, nutty, and complex flavours of cheddar and gruyere go perfectly with the saltiness of the ham, while parmesan adds a touch of umami and extra saltiness.
If you're looking for a more simple option, cheddar on its own works great in a ham and cheese casserole. It has a strong flavour that can stand up to the ham, and it melts well, creating a creamy and indulgent sauce.
For those who want to get a little more adventurous, gouda is a mild-flavoured cheese that works well in casseroles. It has a smooth texture and is not too strong, so it won't overpower the other ingredients. Another option is to use cream cheese or goat cheese as a soft cheese alternative. These cheeses will add a creamy texture and a tangy flavour to the dish.
Finally, don't be afraid to mix and match! You can customise your casserole by using a combination of any of the above cheeses or adding in others that you have on hand. Just be sure to include at least one bold-flavoured cheese to stand up to the ham.
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What to serve it with
A cheese and ham casserole is a hearty, comforting dish, and there are several sides that can complement it.
A fresh, crisp salad is a great way to balance out the rich flavours of the casserole. A simple tomato salad, a cucumber dill salad, or a classic Caesar salad would all work well. If you want to add some extra flavour, a crusty loaf of Italian bread would go perfectly with the meal.
If you want to stick to the comfort food theme, you could serve the casserole with a side of steamed veggies, such as broccoli, carrots, or green beans. You could also add vegetables to the casserole itself; steamed broccoli, peas, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower would all work well.
For a more indulgent side, you could serve the casserole with a portion of hash browns, or even some lightly crushed potato chips for an extra crunch.
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How to store leftovers
Leftovers of cheese and ham casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. To store, place the leftovers in an airtight container or cover the casserole dish with foil. When reheating, add a dash of milk or cream to the pasta to revive it. You can also freeze the leftovers for later enjoyment. To do this, assemble the casserole in a disposable pan, then freeze. When ready to enjoy, thaw the frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight, then cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes or until warmed through with melted, bubbly cheese.
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How to cook the ham
Ingredients
When making a ham and cheese casserole, you can use leftover ham or buy a ham steak from the grocery store. If you're buying ham specifically for the casserole, you can also get a small boneless ham or a large ham steak.
Cooking the Ham
Before adding the ham to the casserole, you'll need to dice it into cubes or shred it. If you're cooking the ham specifically for the casserole, you can simply dice or shred the ham and add it to the other ingredients. However, if you're using leftover ham, you might need to cook it first. You can do this by sauteing the ham in a large skillet with butter, green pepper, and onion until tender.
Ham Alternatives
Although the focus of this answer is on ham, it's worth noting that some ham and cheese casserole recipes call for bacon instead of ham.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need ham, cheese, butter, flour, milk, and pasta. You can also add breadcrumbs, spices, and vegetables.
Some side dishes that go well with ham and cheese casserole are salads, crusty bread, and steamed vegetables.
It takes around 20-25 minutes to bake a ham and cheese casserole in the oven. The preparation time is around 20-30 minutes.
You can use a variety of cheeses such as cheddar, gouda, gruyere, parmesan, or swiss cheese.
