Cheesy Ham Casserole with Bow Tie Pasta

Name: Ham Casserole Recipe with Bow Ties
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 16 oz farfalle pasta; 1/4 c. butter; 1 clove garlic (minced); 1/4 c. all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/8 tsp ground black pepper; 2 c. milk; 1/2 tsp prepared mustard; 2 c. shredded Colby cheese; 2 c. cooked ham (cubed); 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

5 from 36 votes

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By: Julie Evink24 Comments

Posted: 09/17/19

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Cheesy Ham Bow Tie Pasta is a quick and easy ham casserole perfect for dinner! Cheesy casserole recipe with noodles and ham. It’s perfect for when you have leftover ham. The creamy cheese sauce that smothers the pasta and ham is amazing!

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Cheesy Ham Bow Tie Pasta on wooden spoon

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Cheesy Ham Casserole with Bow Tie Pasta

Casseroles are a mainstay in our house this time of year because when the whole family is running in different directions with after school activities and work stuff sometimes I think it’s a small miracle that we can all meet at the table for dinner! Having go-to casserole recipes like this Cheesy Ham Casserole makes it easy to get dinner on the table instead of ordering pizza or take-out, which sometimes is so tempting when it seems like there’s no time to cook. Thank you, casseroles, thank you! This cheesy casserole is comforting, filling and only takes 20 minutes to prep before it goes in the oven.

After making One Pot Ham & Penne Skillet and scalloped potatoes I found this recipe that I wanted to try with some leftover Baked Ham. The hubby absolutely loves cheese, especially mac n cheese so I figured this was the perfect recipe because it’s basically glorified mac n cheese with ham. My ham and cheese tortellini is another great way to use up leftover ham!

It was super easy to whip up after work and you should have most of these ingredients already in your house. If you don’t have Colby cheese you can use whatever cheese you have in your fridge. I served peas on the side but if you get really crazy and daring you can mix them right in. No Parmesan cheese? Use some bread crumbs. The possibilities with this recipe are endless.

My family loves this creamy cheesy casserole and I think your’s will, too!

If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this easy ham casserole recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

What is in Ham Casserole?

farfalle (bowtie) pasta
butter
garlic
flour
salt and pepper
milk
prepared mustard
Colby cheese
cooked ham
Parmesan cheese

Ingredient Substitutions

Pasta: I used farfalle pasta which look like little bowties, but you can use any kind of short pasta shape for this recipe. Penne, gemelli, cavatappi (corkscrew), small shells, oriecchiette (little ears), rotini and macaroni all work, too! So, use what you have in your pantry.

Cheese: I like to use Colby cheese for this recipe, but any good melting cheese will work. You can substitute cheddar cheese, provolone, American cheese, and Swiss cheese. For a fancier twist, you could try Gruyere, Fontina or smoked cheddar!

Ham: This recipe is great for using up leftover ham, but you don’t have to wait until you cook a ham to make it! You can buy packages of diced cooked ham at the grocery store. Look for it near the deli section.

Parmesan Cheese or breadcrumbs: If I don’t have grated Parmesan cheese on hand I substitute breadcrumbs and sprinkle those over the top instead. Both work great!

How do I make Ham Casserole?

First, boil the pasta until it’s al dente. Al dente means it’s cooked through but still firm. Drain the pasta once it’s cooked
To make the sauce, first, melt the butter in a large oven-safe pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook it in the oil for a minute or so. Sprinkle the flour and salt and pepper and whisk them with the butter until smooth.
While stirring constantly, slowly pour in the milk and whisk it with the flour-butter mixture. Boil the mixture for one minute. Add the mustard and Colby cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and then remove the pan from the heat.
Add the pasta and ham and stir until the pasta is coated in the sauce. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake the casserole for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F or until it’s bubbling and golden on top.

What tools do I need to make Ham Casserole?

large pot for boiling the pasta
large oven-safe pan
liquid measuring cup
whisk

What is in a casserole?

Basically, a casserole is a meal that is cooked in a baking dish in the oven. The one I’m sharing is a pasta casserole but there are casseroles made with rice or other starches like potatoes. They can have all kinds of different veggies and proteins added, too. There’s no shortage of casserole recipes at our house. We love Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole and Vegetable Casserole, too!

What’s the difference between a stew and a casserole?

Stews are usually cooked on the stovetop and casseroles are baked in the oven.

What’s the difference between hot dish and casserole?

They’re similar but not the same! A hot dish is usually made with meat (often ground beef), a creamy soup, vegetables and potatoes like tater tots. Although, there are tons of variations! Casseroles, on the other hand, sometimes don’t have meat and may be made with rice or pasta.

Comforting Cheesy Ham Casserole – it just sounds so delicious, right? Once you try it I’m sure it will go in your dinner rotation! Want more recipes? Check out a few more of our favorites!

More recipes using leftover ham!

Love Casseroles? Here are more casserole recipes!

Love this Ham Casserole as much as we do? I’d love it you would rate this recipe!! A five-star rating will make my day!

Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats that way I’m sure to see your pictures!!

Meet Julie Evink

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!