Cheesy Ham Penne Casserole Recipe

This cheesy ham penne casserole is a crowd-pleaser! Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly comforting, this recipe is easy to make and even easier to devour. Use penne or rotini pasta – your choice! A sprinkle of extra cheddar during the last few minutes of baking adds an irresistible final touch. Get ready for a taste sensation that's *very* good!

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 65 mins

Calories 836.8 kcal

Protein 80g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Cheesy Ham Penne Casserole

1 pound penne pasta
1 cup diced cooked ham
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups heavy cream
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, plus 1 to 2 cups optional extra

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How to Make Cheesy Ham Penne Casserole

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
Cook 1 pound penne pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with 1 cup diced ham.
In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
Add 1 tablespoon mustard powder, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1/2 cup chopped onion. Stir and cook for 4 minutes.
Add 2 cloves minced garlic. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 2 minutes until smooth.
Slowly whisk in 2 cups heavy cream and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Cook, stirring over medium-low heat, until bubbly and slightly thickened (about 5 minutes).
Reduce heat to low and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth.
Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and ham mixture. Toss gently until well combined.
Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the top with an additional 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
During the last 3 minutes of baking, remove the cover and sprinkle 1-2 cups of extra shredded cheddar cheese (optional) over the top for extra cheesiness!
Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

27 g

Sugar

Fat

146g

Carbs

18g

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Cheesy Ham Penne Casserole?

Cheesy Ham Penne Casserole takes about 85 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 65 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Cheesy Ham Penne Casserole?

Cheesy Ham Penne Casserole has approximately 836.8 calories per serving, with about 80 g protein, 18 g carbohydrates and 79 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Cheesy Ham Penne Casserole?

The key ingredients for Cheesy Ham Penne Casserole are Penne Pasta, Cooked Ham, Butter, Mustard Powder, Ground Black Pepper, Seasoning Salt. See the full list with measurements above.