Dinner Favorite: Creamy Ham and Cheese Pasta
If you need a quick, comforting weeknight dinner that uses up leftovers, Creamy Ham and Cheese Pasta is the perfect solution. This family-friendly recipe combines tender pasta shapes with smoky diced ham in a rich, velvety cheese sauce.
It comes together entirely in one pan on your stovetop in just under thirty minutes. Skip the boxed mixes from the grocery store. This scratch-made dinner delivers pure comfort food nostalgia straight to your family table!
Why You’ll Love This Ham and Cheese Pasta
Quick Thirty-Minute Meal: This easy recipe cooks entirely on the stovetop, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you need dinner fast.
Perfect Use for Leftover Ham: It is the ultimate way to transform leftover holiday ham into a brand-new, mouthwatering family favorite.
Ultra-Creamy Homemade Sauce: The smooth, rich cheese sauce coats every piece of pasta beautifully for a truly decadent bite.
Tips for the Perfect Ham and Cheese Pasta
Choose the Right Pasta Shape: Short pasta shapes with plenty of ridges or hollow centers work best for this recipe. Medium shells, rotini, or penne are excellent choices. The hollow shapes act like little cups that capture and hold the rich cheese sauce in every single bite.
Shred Your Own Cheese: For the smoothest sauce possible, buy a block of cheddar and shred it yourself at home. Pre-bagged cheeses contain anti-caking powders that can prevent smooth melting. Freshly grated cheese melts beautifully into a silky, lump-free sauce.
Control the Salt Content: Both ham and cheese naturally contain a high amount of sodium. Taste your sauce before adding any extra salt to the pan. You can also use low-sodium chicken broth to cook the pasta to keep the flavors perfectly balanced.
This recipe is the ultimate way to use up leftover holiday ham, especially if you recently made Grandma’s Ham with Pineapple Sauce
Dinner Favorite: Creamy Ham and Cheese Pasta
Equipment
- 1 large saucepan
- 1 large spoon
- 1 microwave safe bowl
- 1 drainer
- 1 large bowl
- 1 2-quart baking dish (with the lid)
Ingredients
- 8 oz. uncooked medium pasta shells
- 1 pkg (8 oz) frozen peas, thawed
- 2 cups fully cooked ham, cubed
- 1 lb process cheese (Velveeta) cubed
- 2 Tbsps ketchup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 Tbsp prepared horseradish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine the milk and cheese. Cover and microwave on high for about 2 minutes. Stir, then heat about 2 minutes longer, or until smooth stirring the mixture at least 2 times.
- Stir in horseradish and ketchup until well blended.
- Drain the pasta and place in a large bowl. Stir in the peas, ham and cheese sauce.
- Transfer to a greased 2-quart baking dish. Cover and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbly.
Nutrition
We Want to Hear From You!
Are you ready to whip up a warm, comforting bowl of cheesy goodness in no time at all? Grab your favorite skillet and let’s start cooking this quick family dinner!
Did this creamy ham and cheese pasta bring back fond family memories at your dinner table? Please leave a comment down below and give this recipe a star rating! It always makes my day to hear from you. Don’t forget to hit that share button and pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest comfort food boards!
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