Quick Ham and Noodle Casserole

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 11/9/20
Quick Ham and Noodle Casserole

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 16 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 46 mins
Servings: 3 to 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
633 Calories
28g Fat
74g Carbs
21g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 633
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 8g 41%
Cholesterol 39mg 13%
Sodium 1090mg 47%
Total Carbohydrate 74g 27%
Dietary Fiber 11g 38%
Protein 21g
Calcium 312mg 24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This simple ham and noodle casserole gets saucy flavor with a simple mayonnaise and cheese sauce. A buttery breadcrumb mixture is a perfect finish, making a savory, crispy topping. It's an excellent use of leftover ham. Freeze leftover ham—diced or sliced—in small portions for recipes like this. Wrap it tightly and put it in freezer bags. Freeze it for 1 to 2 months (USDA recommendation).

The recipe calls for frozen lima beans, but feel free to use steamed frozen peas, mixed vegetables, or a blend of peas and carrots. For extra color and flavor, add a tablespoon or two of chopped pimiento. Green onions are a good option for extra flavor as well. 

If you like more topping, double the breadcrumbs, and the melted butter. Add a tablespoon or two of Parmesan cheese to the crumbs or season them with a dash of salt and some parsley, if you'd like.

Ingredients

  • 1 (10-ounce) package frozen lima beans
  • 4 ounces noodles (medium or wide)
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup processed American cheese shredded (or mild cheddar cheese)
  • 2 cups diced cooked ham
  • 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat oven to 350 F.

    Quick Ham and Noodle Casserole ingredients

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  2. Grease a 1 1/2-quart casserole or shallow baking dish.

    greased casserole dish

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  3. Cook the frozen lima beans following the package directions. Drain and set aside.

    lima beans in a colander

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  4. Cook the noodles following the package directions. Drain and set aside.

    noodles in a colander

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  5. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk the mayonnaise and flour together. Gradually add the milk while stirring constantly. Continue cooking until thickened; add the cheese and stir until melted.

    mayo, flour and cheese mixture in a pan

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  6. Add the cooked and drained lima beans, noodles, and ham to the sauce and stir gently to blend.

    noodles, ham and lima beans in a pot with the cheese sauce

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  7. Pour the noodle and sauce mixture into the prepared casserole dish. 

    ham and noodle casserole mixture in a casserole dish

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  8. Combine the breadcrumbs with the melted butter; sprinkle the buttered bread crumbs over the top of the casserole.

    casserole mixture in a casserole dish topped with breadcrumbs and butter

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  9. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the topping has browned.

    Quick Ham and Noodle Casserole

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Tips

  • When you have day-old bread, make breadcrumbs. Just tear the bread into smaller pieces—with or without the crust—and process them in the food processor. Put them in a freezer bag and label with the name and date. Seal the bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Try different types of bread. Make crumbs with sourdough bread, croissants, French bread, or everyday whole wheat or white bread.
  • To make dry toasted breadcrumbs, process the bread pieces just until the crumbs are coarse. Spread the crumbs out on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350 F oven for about 10 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown. Stir them occasionally. For croutons, slice the bread into small cubes and bake until dry and golden brown.