Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

leftover ham casserole

Recipe by
Lori L (JostLori)
San Diego

Holidays always make for leftovers, and after a while we get tired of sandwiches! This delicious casserole makes good use of those ham ends, and is especially good on a cold and blustery day. Note: you can also use other leftovers - think chicken, turkey, or mild sausage.

yield 5 serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Broil

Ingredients For leftover ham casserole

  • 4 oz
    Cavatelli pasta
  • 4 Tbsp
    butter, divided
  • 1/2
    sweet onion, chopped
  • 3/4 c
    mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 Tbsp
    flour
  • 1 c
    milk
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp
    fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/3 c
    chicken broth
  • 1 1/4 c
    diced ham
  • 1/2 c
    frozen peas
  • 3 Tbsp
    grated Parmesan cheese (not the stuff in the green can, please!)

How To Make leftover ham casserole

  • 1
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Preheat broiler.
  • 2
    While pasta cooks: Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan. Add the onions and sweat them until they are translucent. Add the mushrooms and continue to saute until soft but not browned. Transfer onions and mushrooms to a bowl, leaving as much butter behind as you can.
  • 3
    Add remaining butter to the pan and melt over medium heat. Add the flour and stir to form a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes, but don't let it brown.
  • 4
    Slowly add the milk while whisking, Add kosher salt and pepper to taste (a little salty, because pasta comes later). Add the thyme. Whisk until thickened.
  • 5
    Add the chicken broth. Whisk to combine. Add the ham and peas and stir to combine. Add the onion and mushroom mixture. Stir to combine. Add the cooked pasta. Stir so that everything is coated. Make sure all the ingredients are hot.
  • 6
    Pour into a 1 1/2 qt casserole dish. Sprinkle the parmesan evenly over all. Place dish under the broiler until the cheese is golden brown. Watch carefully so it doesn't burn. Remove from oven and serve.
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