This Ham Tetrazzini is a creamy and comforting dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Pasta, ham, mushrooms, peas are all tossed in a creamy white sauce and topped with delicious cheese, you can’t go wrong.
One of my favorite things about ham casserole recipes like this one is that it’s a great way to use up leftover ham from Easter or other holidays. If you are looking for an easy way to make a ham then this Instant Pot Brown Sugar Ham recipe is for you.
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The Nutritional Benefits of Ham
I love to serve ham for a meal because it’s full of nutrients such as protein, zinc, selenium, amino acids and B vitamins. This creamy casserole is a great way to use this complete protein, and feed your family a hearty and delicious meal.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This indulgent recipe is a creamy and comforting dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights, providing a nutritious and delicious meal solution.
- Since you can cook the rest of the ingredients while the pasta is boiling, this recipe is ready in 30 minutes.
- Even though there’s several things to cook for this recipe, it’s still very easy to make.
- The picky eaters in your house will love this recipe because the combination of ham, pasta, cheese and peas is delicious!
- With all of the various vegetables and sauces cooking, it will fill your house with a delicious aroma.
If you are looking for another ham and pasta recipe check out this Ham and Tortellini recipe.
🥘 Ingredients
To make this creamy pasta dish you will need a few simple ingredients. All of these ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store to help you save some money on this dish.
Vegetables: You need green peas, onion, and mushrooms for this recipe.
Ham: Any type of cooked ham will work. If you don’t have leftover ham, you can use diced ham instead.
Pasta: Any shape will work, I like to use penne pasta, rotini pasta or even spaghetti noodles.
Flour: The flour will be used to thicken your creamy sauce, any type of flour will work.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔀 Substitutions
Broth: If you don’t have chicken broth on hand, you can use vegetable broth or even water.
Protein: Instead of ham, you can switch out the protein and use cooked chicken or cooked turkey.
🌈 Variations / Options / Add-Ins
Here are a few ways that you can personalize this simple casserole recipe.
Cheese: You can use different types of cheese such as mozzarella, cheddar cheese, or swiss.
Veggies: Feel free to switch out the vegetables in this recipe and add your favorite ones like bell peppers, zucchini, carrots or celery.
Herbs & Spices: Add some extra flavor to this dish with herbs and spices. You can try oregano or even red pepper flakes.
See this Instant Pot Chicken Tetrazzini recipe to try making this dish with another protein.
🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
You only need a couple kitchen tools to help you make this simple family-friendly meal. Gather these tools and get ready to enjoy this tasty dish.
🔪 How to Make Ham Tetrazzini
Making this simple recipe is easy. Just follow the instructions below and you will have a tasty dish in no time at all.
Step 1: Cook the pasta
In large pot, cook the pasta according to the package directions.
Step 2: Melt the butter
In another large pot on the stove top, melt butter over medium heat.
Step 3: Sauté the onions
Once the butter is completely melted, sauté the onions until clear and tender. This should take about four minutes.
Step 4: Sauté mushrooms
Once the onions are tender, add the sliced mushrooms and cook until your desired texture is reached. About four minutes for tender mushrooms.
Step 5: Set the vegetables aside
Place the onions and mushrooms in a small bowl and set aside.
Step 6: Melt the butter
Add the remaining butter to the pot and melt it.
Step 7: Make a roux
Once melted, whisk the flour into the butter to make a roux.
Step 8: Stir in the milk
Allow the roux to bubble and then whisk in the milk.
Step 9: Season the sauce
Season the cream sauce with salt, pepper, and thyme and then allow it to simmer for 8 minutes or until thickened.
Step 10: Add the chicken broth
Slowly stir in the chicken broth.
Step 11: Add the vegetables and pasta
Add the pasta, green peas, and cooked ham until ingredients are warm and thoroughly coated in the sauce.
Step 12: Heat the oven
Turn the oven on broil.
Step 13: Broil the casserole
Pour the pasta mixture into an 8×8 casserole dish, and sprinkle the top with grated parmesan cheese. Broil for about 2 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this comfort food classic with a fresh vegetable side like these Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables and a bread side like this Instant Pot French Bread.
👩🍳 Pro Tips
Here are a few tips to make sure this recipe turns out perfectly every time.
- Don’t forget to salt your pasta water for more flavorful noodles.
- If you want a little crunch, you can top this casserole with some crushed crackers or breadcrumbs mixed with a tablespoon of melted butter.
- If you don’t have fresh mushrooms, you can use canned mushrooms instead. Just skip the step to cook them.
- You can adjust the salt, black pepper, and thyme to taste.
- Instead of making your own cream sauce, you could also use two cans of cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup.
- Be sure to drain the pasta well so that the excess water doesn’t cause you to have a runny sauce.
❓ Recipe FAQs
If you have any leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can heat individual portions of this dish in the microwave.
Yes, you can freeze this dish for up to three months. Transfer the casserole to a freezer-safe container and make sure it is airtight before freezing.
🙏 Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Ham Tetrazzini:
Ready to get cooking? Print off the recipe card below or toggle on Cook Mode to keep your screen from going dark while you follow along on your phone or tablet.
📋 Recipe
Ham Tetrazzini
Equipment
- large pots
- 8×8 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons Butter divided
- 1 Medium Onion diced
- 1 cup Sliced Mushrooms
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 cups Milk
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
- 8 ounces Pasta approximately 2 1/2 cups
- 1 cup Green Peas we used frozen
- 2 cups Cooked Ham chopped
- 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- In large pot cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- In another large pot on the stove top, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Once the butter is completely melted, sauté the onions until clear and tender. This should take about four minutes.
- Once the onions are tender, add the sliced mushrooms and cook until your desired texture is reached. About four minutes for tender mushrooms.
- Place the onions and mushrooms in a small bowl and set aside.
- Add the remaining butter to the pot and melt it.
- Once melted, whisk the flour into the butter to make a roux.
- Allow the roux to bubble and then whisk in the milk.
- Season the cream sauce with salt, pepper, and thyme and then allow it to simmer for 8 minutes or until thickened.
- Slowly stir in the chicken broth.
- Add the pasta, green peas, and cooked ham until ingredients are warm and thoroughly coated in the sauce.
- Turn the oven on broil.
- Pour the pasta mixture into an 8×8 casserole dish, and sprinkle the top with grated parmesan cheese.
- Broil until the top is golden brown, or for about two minutes.
Notes
- Don’t forget to salt your pasta water for more flavorful noodles.
- If you want a little crunch, you can top this casserole with some crushed crackers or breadcrumbs mixed with a tablespoon of melted butter.
- If you don’t have fresh mushrooms, you can use canned mushrooms instead. Just skip the step to cook them.
- You can adjust the salt, black pepper, and thyme to taste.
- Instead of making your own cream sauce, you could also use two cans of cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup.
- Be sure to drain the pasta well so that the excess water doesn’t cause you to have a runny sauce.
Great ideas in your recipes!
Thank you! I’m glad you like all of the ideas. Thanks for commenting and letting me know.