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Looking for a hearty and tasty dinner option? Try this delicious Ham & Veggie Noodle Casserole! Your taste buds will thank you.

 

Short on time but craving a comforting casserole? We’ve all been there! You’ve had a hectic day, and now a growling stomach with little time to spare. Picture this: tender bites of leftover ham, delicious vegetables, and noodles all nestled in a creamy tomato sauce all baked to cheesy golden-brown perfection. Are you drooling yet? Because I am! Get ready to say goodbye to long hours in the kitchen and hello to more time for yourself.

 

How do you prevent food waste?

 

Repurpose leftovers! For me, it’s usually ham and turkey for the holidays. There’s only two of us and I can rarely find a small ham or turkey that’s enough for just the two of us. Yes, I could buy a smaller more expensive per pound ham, but why? Why waste money and not have leftovers? I mean, I wouldn’t be able to make this delicious casserole without leftover ham.

 

 

There are so many ways to use leftover ham. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, allowing us to create delicious meals while reducing waste. One simple and satisfying option is to chop up the leftover ham and make macaroni and cheese with ham. The salty and smoky flavor of ham pairs perfectly with the creamy cheese sauce. You can also toss the ham into carbonara which is another easy pasta dish.

You can also add chopped ham to sautéed diced potatoes, onions, and bell peppers the top with a fried egg for a filling and flavorful ham hash that will keep you satisfied all day long. Or make a ham and cheese omelet or add it to a breakfast pancake grilled cheese.

 

 

It’s a great addition that makes any soup delicious. Simmer the ham with vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and onions, along with some herbs and spices to create a rich and flavorful broth. Kick up your potato soup with ham and make cheesy ham and potato leek soup. And there’s the iconic ham and bean soup.

Finally, there’s always a sandwich! We used to make hot ham and cheese sandwiches growing up that was so easy and great for a quick lunch. Another delicious sandwich are these ham and cheese sliders or everything bagel ham and cheese sliders. So, you can see, there’s a slew of ways to use up leftover ham. Oh, and you can use these same ideas for turkey or chicken, too!

 

 

What shortcuts make this ham casserole easy?

 

One clever shortcut is using a package of frozen peppers and onions. Leave them in the fridge that morning to thaw. Then drain, chop, and sauté to make this a quick meal. You could also use some roasted red peppers or chopped pimentos which is basically the same thing. Drain and add to the rest of the casserole ingredients for a quick shortcut.

 

Another shortcut is using canned tomatoes. You could get some of those tomatoes with herbs in them oregano or basil. Maybe try kicking it up with some green chile tomatoes or fire roasted tomatoes. How about a sweet and tangy kick with some sun-dried tomatoes.

 

 

There’s a slew of shredded cheese out there instead of shredding your own. There’s cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, gouda, Colby, pepper jack, Monterey jack. I’m not even kidding when I say there’s a bunch of pre-shredded cheeses.

 

So, go beyond the cheddar in this recipe and find something that’s more suitable to your tastes. With the sun-dried tomatoes, try an Italian blend. The green chile tomatoes can be a festive Mexican blend. Go wild! Just do it with the convenience of shredded cheese.

 

Finally, cook the pasta ahead of time. Or try one of those quick cooking pastas. I haven’t seen the heat and eat pasta like they have with rice, but if you have some in your grocery, then try that. A good chunk of time can be saved by cooking the pasta ahead of time. In fact, you could make this whole casserole ahead of time and then pop it into the oven when you get home.

 

 

How do you make ham & veggie noodle casserole?

 

Preheat the oven first and foremost! Then, if you haven’t cooked the pasta ahead of time, then you’ll need to start with that. That can take upwards of 20 to 30 minutes. Now you can see why cooking the pasta ahead of time can make or break this dish. Then again, if you’re like me, you will turn the water on when you walk the dogs and then put the pasta in when you get back. While it cooks you can prep the rest of the ingredients.

 

Next, it’s time for the veggies. Heat up the pan while you prep them for cooking. Then add them to the pan to get some color and caramelization on there. This will add more flavor to the casserole. Even if you use frozen vegetables, you can still brown them along with the onions.

 

 

Stir in the tomatoes when the peppers and onions are browned. Let them simmer until the liquid is reduced. Then toss in the ham and simmer until the ham heats through. Combine the ham mixture with the pasta and pour it into the casserole dish.

 

No. The cream doesn’t go in the pan. You pour the cream over the top of the pasta and veggie mixture. Sort of like you do with scalloped or au gratin potatoes. Actually, more like au gratin because then you top it with cheddar cheese.

 

 

Since everything else is hot, you don’t need to cook this ham & veggie noodle casserole for very long. The oven is preheated to 375 to make sure the cheese gets golden brown on top, but once you put the ham casserole in the oven you reduce the heat to 350 and bake it. I know, it seems strange, but I really wanted that cheese to be golden brown on top.

 

This casserole isn’t like all the others. There’s no soup base or even a cream or mornay base. But it’s still creamy and delicious from the cream. The pasta soaks up the cream and whatever is left thickens as this ham casserole cooks in the oven. It’s hearty, delicious, and full of flavor! And quick and easy to whip up with leftover ham and a few convenience veggies.