This ham and noodle casserole is an easy comfort-food dinner made with tender egg noodles, ham, and a creamy sauce. It’s simple, dependable, and perfect for busy nights.
It’s creamy, hearty, and made with ingredients most of us already have on hand. It’s also a great way to turn what you have into a cozy weeknight meal the whole family will eat.
Cheesy, creamy ham and noodle casserole checks all the boxes. It’s easy, full of flavor, and makes a warm, satisfying meal. It also reheats beautifully, which makes it perfect for using up leftover ham after a holiday meal.
If you’ve got ham on the menu this week, you might want to save this recipe. This easy ham and noodle casserole is one of the best ways to turn it into another full meal.
You might also like my Ham Salad, Skillet Ham and Scalloped Potatoes, and Split Pea Soup.
I did not have any leftover ham the day I first made this casserole, so I bought a package of Farmland diced ham for a quick, easy weeknight dinner or two. This lean and tender diced ham is a time-saver and a workhorse. I want everything I make to be quick, tasty, and not involve doing a lot of dishes!
The ingredients are simple and readily available, but you probably have most of them on hand!
Boil an eight-ounce package of egg noodles in salted water as directed on the package. When done, rinse and drain the noodles to remove any extra starch that can make them sticky. Put the noodles in a casserole dish that has been greased or treated with a non-stick spray like Pam.
Combine the mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Pour that over the cooked noodles. Stir the diced ham into the noodle mixture.
Grate 2 cups of cheddar cheese. For best results, grate cheese from a block. It melts much more evenly than shredded cheese from a bag because it has a coating that keeps the shreds from sticking together, but it inhibits smooth melting and can dry out your other ingredients.
Add most of the shredded cheese to the noodles (reserve about ½ cup), then stir until everything is evenly blended. Now, dot the top with butter.
Top with the remaining cheese and some parsley for color if you like! I ALWAYS have to have some parsley; it’s a thing with me! I call it "green magic"!
Finally, lightly cover the casserole with foil (hint: spray it with non-stick spray before covering the dish), and bake for about 40 minutes at 350 degrees.
This ham-and-noodle casserole recipe was a hit with Papa Steve. The flavor is excellent, and it makes a pretty good-sized casserole! Lucky for us, it reheated exceptionally well in the microwave.
The two of us eat a lot of what I call PLAN-overs because, while I love to cook, I love a good cook-once, eat-twice recipe! I think that might be our favorite thing about soup-and-casserole season! Papa always helps with dishes, so he’s also a big fan of less cleanup!
This creamy ham and noodle casserole pairs perfectly with simple, easy sides like:
Busy families with kids in school and lots of activities can mean a hectic schedule and meals at home in shifts! You need some comfort food! And if you like cozy comfort food, here are three more I think your family will love:
German Sauerkraut Casserole - A very unusual combination of ingredients makes an incredibly delicious sauerkraut casserole that is salty, sweet, and savory. It has been incredibly popular.
Hamburger Pie - Here's a cozy vintage dish: hamburger pie. It uses the most basic ingredients in the kitchen, and everyone loves it. Hamburger pie is a complete meal in a pan!
Runza Casserole - This quick and delicious, family-friendly casserole has all the flavors of a traditional Runza and is ready in a fraction of the time.
Can I use leftover ham in this casserole?
Yes. This is a great way to use leftover ham from a holiday meal or Sunday dinner. Just dice it into bite-sized pieces so it mixes evenly throughout the casserole.
What kind of noodles work best in ham and noodle casserole?
Wide or extra-wide egg noodles work especially well because they hold the creamy sauce nicely and pair well with diced ham. Cook them just until tender so they do not get too soft in the oven.
Can I make ham and noodle casserole ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble the casserole ahead, cover it, and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake. If it is cold from the refrigerator, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
How do I store leftover ham and noodle casserole?
Store covered leftovers in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions in the oven until heated through.
This recipe makes a wonderful casserole that goes together quickly and reheats beautifully! Use convenient packaged, diced ham, or this is a great way to use leftover ham!
Before you go, here are two more cozy recipes you might enjoy:
Hamburger Noodle Hotdish – A speedy, simple one-pan dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Old-Fashioned Cabbage Soup – A hearty sausage-and-cabbage soup made with simple ingredients and big flavor.
If you enjoyed this recipe, I’d love it if you left a review or comment. It helps my little business reach other cooks just like you. ❤
Love, GB (Betty Streff)
Real food. Real kitchen. Real easy.
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That bread look awesome and yummy too! I haven't made bread in years but, I'm going to try this one ! Thank you so much.
Thanks! I am glad you like it! And the bread? No one was more surprised than I was that a loaf that quick could taste that good!