Ham and Noodle Casserole Made with a Homemade Hearty, Delicious and Creamy Sauce

cream of mushroom soup

🥗Healthier: homemade mushroom sauce

💰Cheaper: cream of chicken soup

Homemade sauce can be lower in sodium and preservatives.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese cuts calories while still melting well.

egg noodles

🥗Healthier: whole wheat noodles

💰Cheaper: elbow macaroni

Whole wheat adds fiber; macaroni is often cheaper.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier, while margarine is often less expensive.

Fill a large sauce pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat.

Add a touch of salt to the boiling water.

Add 16 oz of spaghetti noodles to the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes less than the manufacturer's instructions.

Drain the pasta and set it aside.

In a saucepan over medium to high heat, add 1 tbsp of neutral oil.

Once the oil is hot, add 3 cups of diced ham and sauté until lightly golden brown around the edges.

At the end of cooking the ham, add 3 minced cloves of garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Move the ham and garlic to the side of the pan to make a well in the center and reduce the heat to medium.

Add 6 tbsp of unsalted butter to the center of the pan and let it melt.

Once melted, add 6 tbsp of all-purpose flour and mix together to form a roux.

Combine the roux with the ham and garlic and cook over low to medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add 1 cup of chicken stock and 2 cups of milk to the mixture and stir well to incorporate the roux into the liquid.

Add 1/4 tsp of onion powder, 1/4 tsp of ground mustard, and a touch of black pepper, mixing well.

Add 2 cups of mixed frozen vegetables to the sauce and stir occasionally until it simmers and thickens.

Once the sauce coats the back of a spoon, remove it from heat and taste for seasoning, adjusting as needed.

In a 9x13 in baking dish, add the cooked pasta and evenly distribute it.

Pour the homemade sauce over the pasta and combine using a spoon or spatula.

Cover the casserole with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

Remove the casserole from the oven, take off the foil, and add 2 cups of freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese on top.

Return the casserole to the oven uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Garnish with parsley and enjoy.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens