Ham Casserole – This ham and swiss casserole recipe is all kinds of comfort food feels. Noodles, cream of mushroom soup, swiss cheese… it’s a ton of flavor in one dish!
It’s a dish that reminds me of this french onion ground beef casserole, that we all love, but with ham!
Casseroles are great dishes for potlucks, holidays, or any occasion where you need to easily feed a large number of people and want to show off your cooking skills.
Don’t miss the 20+ chicken casserole recipes we’ve gathered to load up your Pinterest boards with!
Ham Casserole
Made with ham and cheese this ham casserole is the perfect recipe to make with your Easter leftovers or any time of year!
For Easter, utilize the leftover ham and mix it with swiss cheese and cream of mushroom soup to make a delicious, family-loved recipe. (Or, if you have a lot of ham, make this ham and beans recipe too!)
Or, if you like, you can even buy or make ham specifically for this recipe. It’s so delicious that you don’t need to make it only when you have leftovers, you’ll want to make it all the time!
What kind of noodles work best with ham and noodle casserole?
There really isn’t a noodle that works best with ham and noodle casserole – almost any noodle works! However, long pasta noodles like spaghetti or angel hair are not recommended since it is a casserole and long noodles make it more difficult to serve and eat.
Egg noodles are a great option because they cook quickly, freeze well, and the swiss cheese latches onto them nicely. We also use these in this easy chicken and noodles recipe and this old-fashioned tuna casserole recipe too, and it freezes well too!
How do I store leftover ham until I’m ready to use it in a casserole?
- Ham should be tightly wrapped and not left at room temperature for more than two hours.
- It should also be put in a refrigerator with a temperature of under 40 degrees, and should not be stored for more than four days.
- If you’re not using the ham within four days place in the freezer. (This is not ideal as it can affect the flavor of the meat, but sometimes situations require freezing.) It can be kept in a freezer for 1-2 months.
Can I freeze ham casserole?
Absolutely, you can freeze ham casserole! There are two ways you can freeze it – the dish prepared but uncooked, or the dish completely finished and cooked.
To Freeze Uncooked Casserole
If you are making the casserole for a special day it is a great recipe to make ahead of time and leave uncooked for the day of.
However, it is recommended that you make it the night before and leave in the fridge, but you may need to freeze the casserole for a longer time before you make it. If this happens, be sure to take the casserole out of the freezer and put it into the fridge the night before.
NOTE: It is not advised that you put a frozen casserole directly into a hot oven, as the swift change in temperature could cause the baking dish to crack.
In fact, it is best if you can leave the dish out for 10 minutes before it is baked.
Once the dish warms up simply bake it according to the recipe, adding a few minutes to account for the dish being cold.
Bake Casserole Before Freezing
If you bake the dish before you freeze it, make sure you let it warm up before you serve it again. It is also important in this case to let it thaw in the fridge overnight, set out for 10 minutes, and then bake.
However, if the dish was already baked, it can be put it in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until warm.
Optional Ingredients for Ham Casserole
If you’re looking to add-to or spice up your ham casserole, here are some ideas to add some variety to this recipe and make it your own!
- Cheddar cheese (with or in place of swiss)
- Mustard (or mustard seed)
- Pickles (or relish)
- Bacon
- Jalapeno’s
- Sauerkraut (We use sauerkraut in these corned beef sliders so save some if you can!)
- Corned beef
- Broccoli
How to Make Ham Casserole
You can find the entire ingredients list and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but if you’re a visual person like me, I’ve provided images and notes along the way in case it helps!
This ham casserole is practically a dump and bake recipe, which is one of my FAVORITES! Less dishes, less mess, and less work!
Preheat your oven to 350º.
Mix together all of the ingredients (except cheese) and dump into a greased baking dish. Or, mix it all up IN the baking dish to save on dish cleanup even more!
Sprinkle on the cheese…
…and bake covered for 45 minutes and then remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
You’ll want to put this casserole on your menu rotation this week, we are sure it will become a family favorite!
Recipe
Ham Casserole – Swiss & Noodle Bake
Ingredients
- 8 oz. egg noodles pre-cooked according to package directions
- 2 cups ham chopped in to bite sized pieces
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup half and half
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ onion diced
- 2 tablespoon butter melted
- 3 tablespoon poppy seeds optional
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups swiss cheese shredded or grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º
- Spray a 9 by 13 pan with cooking spray.
- Mix all of the ingredients except the cheese in a large bowl.
- Pour the mixture into the sprayed pan.
- Top with the Swiss cheese and more poppy seeds, if desired.
- Bake, covered, for 45 minutes.
- Remove the cover and bake for another 15 minutes or until bubbly.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
We LOVE pasta comfort foods here in the midwest. Here are some of our favorites on the blog…
Pin the image below to remember it for later!
Claudia says
This is a good dish to help use up leftover ham meat. We are not big Pasta eaters so I double the ham quantity and for us it comes out perfect. Thank you for publishing the recipe.
Jessica says
Hi Claudia! I’m glad you like it, thank you for sharing!
Pam says
I see that three tablespoons of poppy seeds are listed as optional in the recipe’s list of ingredients. What favor component does poppy seed add to this dish?
Jessica says
It has been said that they have a “nutty” taste but I prefer them for texture more than anything!
Patty says
This ham casserole was really good.
Jessica says
I’m so thrilled that you liked it Patty! Thank you so much!
Jesdica says
What do 1/4 half and half mean ?
Jessica says
Under ingredients what do 1/4 half and half mean ?
Jessica says
Hi Jessica. It’s 1/4 cup of half and half. They sell “half and half” in the grocery store next to the heavy whipping cream/milk. I hope that helps!
Ethel says
Made this. Easy ham casserole. Added peas and carrots. Used sharp cheddar. It was a hit with hubby and the in-laws. Side: walnut and cranberry salad.
Jessica says
Hi Ethel! I’m so glad that you liked it and the additions sound lovely!! Thank you for letting us know!
Donna B says
I made this ham casserole tonight and I really enjoyed it! I did add a smidge of whole grain mustard to the mix and it was quite delicious. It’s a very easy recipe with ingredients I typically have on hand. Will definitely make again.
Jessica says
Oh good!!! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for letting us know!!