Ham Casserole

This ham casserole features pasta, onion, broccoli, and smoked ham in a rich and creamy cheese sauce, perfectly seasoned with garlic, thyme, and marjoram. For ease and convenience, use ham steak or leftover holiday ham.

This delicious casserole is a family favorite, and leftovers heat up like a dream, still so creamy and tasty.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.

• Pasta: Any medium pasta will work for this recipe, such as cellentani, rigatoni, ziti, rotini, campanelle, or elbow macaroni.
• Marjoram: It is a milder, sweeter, less intense relative of oregano. But you can substitute oregano if needed.
• Butter: Unsalted or salted.
• Milk: Whole milk yields a creamier result.
• Broccoli: I use fresh broccoli, but you can substitute frozen.
• Cheddar: I use sharp cheddar, but you can use mild, regular, extra sharp, or smoked.
• American cheese: A few slices help ensure creaminess. No one wants gritty or grainy macaroni and cheese. I use the good stuff purchased from the deli counter.
• Ham: Use any fully cooked smoked ham. This recipe is great for leftover holiday ham.

How To Make Ham Casserole

This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.

1. Boil the pasta al dente according to the package instructions, then drain well.
2. In a large pot, cook the onion in a little bit of olive oil until soft. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Cook for a minute while stirring.
3. Melt the butter in the pot. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for a couple of minutes while stirring.
4. Slowly stir in the milk and simmer until slightly thickened.
5. Steam the broccoli in the microwave for a couple of minutes.
6. Stir in the shredded cheddar and American cheese in small increments.
7. Add the pasta, broccoli, and ham to the casserole dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the top and stir to combine.
8. Top with the remaining cheese and bake.

Preparation Tips For Success

• Grease the casserole dish for easier cleanup.
• Only cook the casserole long enough to melt the cheese. I have found that cooking casseroles with creamy cheese sauce for too long dries them out.
• Do not steam the broccoli too long. You don’t want it mushy.

Serving Suggestions

This is a hearty meal on its own, but sometimes I like to serve a healthy accompaniment, such as a spring mix salad, corn salad, or cucumber-tomato salad. Other great serving options are minestrone, French onion soup, and cream of mushroom soup.

More Ham Recipes

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