Ham and Noodle Casserole: A Great Way to Use That Leftover Ham!

A recipe that transforms leftover ham into a savory casserole with noodles, cheese, and cream of celery soup, offering a delicious way to repurpose ham into a comforting meal.

Are you struggling to come up with ideas for supper? I know I am. 

I had bought a bone-in ham for the bone to make ham and beans. I cut off most of the ham, leaving just a little, and put the rest in the freezer.

So I thought to myself, what can I make with this leftover ham? Ham and potato casserole is one of my favorites but I wanted something different.

I love noodles so thought, why not a ham and noodle casserole? I had all of the ingredients in my pantry except for the noodles. 

But that wasn’t a problem. I decided I would just make my noodles. 

Sounds intimidating, doesn’t it? But it is easy to make noodles.

However, do not let that stop you from making this casserole. You can just as easily use packaged noodles as well.

It will taste just as awesome. I made my noodles and let them sit on the table to dry just a little and proceeded with gathering my other ingredients.

After it was said and done the casserole tasted fantastic. The only complaint my husband had was that it had just a little too much ham in it. 

Go figure. I love ham so that was not a problem for me!

Cheese

This dish is very versatile in that you can use whatever kind of cheese you want. I know that most will tend to use Cheddar.

If you want a prominent cheese flavor I would go for the sharp Cheddar. If you are going for a more subtle cheese flavor go with mild. 

I went with the Swiss. I love a Swiss and ham sandwich so it just made sense to me.

And that just happened to be the cheese I had on hand.

Onions

The yellow onion is your go-to cooking option. But I like to be different and I happen to like a sweeter more subtle flavor so I use sweet onions in most of my recipes. 

Again it comes down to your particular taste. That is what I love about cooking.

Take a basic recipe and make it your own. To cater to your preferred tastes.

Sometimes we get a winner. But there are times when it just doesn’t work.

We just try again until we get it right.

Ham

Again I will refer to your particular tastes and whatever leftover ham you have on hand. I just happened to always have Fricks ham on hand. 

The bad thing is that I have only seen this ham sold in my local IGA grocery store. 

I have never seen it sold in Walmart. Just make sure that if you are buying a ham for this ham and noodle casserole you get a cooked ham. 

My Final Thoughts

• Recipe for leftovers: Utilizes leftover ham to create a new meal, similar to turning day-old bread into bread pudding.
• Cheese variety: Offers options for cheese selection, like cheddar or Swiss, echoing the adaptability of cheese in dishes like mac and cheese.
• Onion choice: Suggests using preferred onion types, paralleling recipes like French onion soup where the onion’s flavor is key.
• Homemade or store-bought: Can use homemade or packaged noodles, akin to the choice between homemade pasta and store-bought in Italian cooking.
• Customizable flavor: Encourages tweaking the recipe to personal taste, much like customizing a pizza with favorite toppings.

Whether you like sharp or mild Cheddar, Swiss cheese, or another favorite. Homemade or prepackaged noodles, yellow or sweet onion, smoked or honey ham, experiment a little. 

That’s what cooking is all about. Catering to our tastes.

Improving a recipe or making a new one. I hope you give this casserole a try. 

I don’t think you will be disappointed. Unless you don’t care for noodles or ham. 

But then you wouldn’t be here if that was the case, right? You might also like this ham and potato casserole.

Please leave me a comment below with your thoughts. And as always, have a wonderful day!

FAQ for Ham and Noodle Casserole

1. What are the main ingredients in the Ham and Noodle Casserole?

• Core Ingredients: The casserole primarily features leftover ham, noodles, cheese, and cream of celery soup, which combine to create a comforting and hearty dish.
• Customization Options: The recipe is quite flexible, allowing for the use of different types of cheese and adjustments to the seasoning to suit personal tastes.

2. How can leftover ham be effectively used in this casserole?

• Utilizing Leftovers: This recipe is an excellent way to repurpose leftover ham, transforming it into a new and enjoyable meal.
• Preparation Tips: Cutting the ham into bite-sized pieces and mixing it with noodles and other ingredients helps integrate flavors and textures for a satisfying dish.

3. What makes the Ham and Noodle Casserole a good choice for family meals?

• Family-Friendly: Its simple ingredients and easy preparation make it a great option for family dinners, appealing to adults and children alike.
• Comfort Food: The creamy and savory qualities of the casserole make it a comforting food that’s perfect for relaxing family evenings or weekend meals.

4. Are there any specific tips for preparing the Ham and Noodle Casserole?

• Cooking Instructions: Combining the ingredients thoroughly before baking ensures that the flavors meld together beautifully during the cooking process.
• Serving Suggestions: The casserole can be topped with extra cheese or breadcrumbs for added texture and flavor before serving.