Ham Casserole Pioneer Woman

This Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and delicious! For your family, you can prepare this easy, cheesy ham and potato casserole at any time. It makes a great post-holiday dinner, and it can even be served for breakfast!

You will notice that I have provided so much relevant information alongside the main Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole recipe, so feel to check them out.

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Why You’ll Love this Ham Casserole Recipe:

Cheesy: With a layer of cheese on top and baked to perfection, this Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole is one of the best. It’s so cheesy and creamy!
Easy: Just like most casseroles, this recipe is super easy to make. Combine everything in a baking dish, bake, and enjoy!
Anytime Casserole: You can serve this dish for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast. This is a hearty side dish that can be served as either a main meal or as a main dish. It’s such a versatile recipe!

Ingredients That You’ll Need:

Ham: Ham is always a crowd-pleaser as it is richly flavored and deliciously savory. Combine it with cheesy, creamy sauces for a delightful meal. Besides being a lean protein, it also contains vitamins and selenium.
Pasta: For an extra hearty and appealing casserole. Pioneer Woman used whole wheat pasta because of its nutritional benefits (more minerals like iron) and because it was the perfect shape and size for the dish. Pasta made from whole wheat has more fiber than regular pasta.
Sage: Winter and fall are the seasons for this earthy herb. It’s a great complement to the ham and cheese sauce.
Flour: To help thicken the sauce.
Milk: Nonfat milk is what we used to keep things light.
Half-and-Half: Provides much-needed richness to the sauce without making it too heavy.
Nutmeg: A subtle touch of warmth and complexity.
Greek Yogurt: To create a creamy, tangy sauce, Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole also includes Greek yogurt, which is protein-rich and calcium-rich.
Sharp White Cheddar Cheese: Adds a bold, cheesy flavor to the sauce.
Breadcrumb Topping: The crisp, toasty breadcrumb topping makes this Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole feel special.

What can I add to Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole?

To stretch the dish and boost nutrition, add more veggies to the ones already called for in the recipe.
You could also use sauteed poblano, red or orange peppers, cooked cauliflower, broccoli, or pearl onions, and chopped seeded tomatoes.
You can use crushed Ritz crackers, saltines, sliced almonds, or French fried onions as toppings.

What ham is best for Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole?

Make sure you are using cooked ham in this Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole recipe. leftover ham, pre-cooked ham, or ham that you cooked by yourself can be used in this Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole. You can easily find cooked hams at the grocery store or deli.

How To make Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole Ahead of time?

Making ahead: You can prepare this Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Simply cover and refrigerate until baking time. Afterward, follow the baking instructions on the recipe card.

Freezer: If you want to freeze Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole to make later then it’s best to freeze it before you bake it. Wrap the pan tightly with aluminum foil and write down the directions on top (along with the date) then place in the freezer for up to 1 month. Before baking, remove the casserole from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator.

What pairs well with Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole?

Green veggies are the way to go! Simple, healthy choices are broccoli and spinach steamed or kale steamed. Veggie-rich side salads pair well with Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole.

Here are some sides to serve with your Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole:

How To Boil Potatoes For Ham Casserole?

Note: Adding potatoes to the casserole is optional, I haven’t added it to this Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole, but feel free to do so, just make sure to layer the potatoes evenly at step 8 alongside the mixture.

Ingredients

1-3 lbs. potatoes Yukon gold, red, or russet
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Remove visible dirt and debris from potatoes by rinsing and scrubbing them.
Using a vegetable peeler, peel potatoes if desired, or leave them whole.
Cut them into pieces of 2 inches or leave them whole.
Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with 1 inch of water. Sprinkle a few pinches of salt on top and bring to a boil.
As soon as the water begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and keep a rapid simmer for the following times:
- 10-12 minutes for peeled, 2-inch cubes of potatoes.
- 15-20 minutes for whole red or Yukon gold potatoes.
- 25-30 minutes for whole russet potatoes.
You will know they are done when they can be pierced easily with a fork. If you have a large potato, insert a knife to check the middle for doneness.

How To Make Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole?

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta in the water until it is al dente, according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Then, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and lightly grease a 9″ x 13″ baking dish.
Over medium heat, melt the butter in a Dutch oven or similar large, deep pot. Sauté the onion until it begins to soften, about 6 minutes.
Next, sprinkle in the flour and cook, whisking frequently, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Whisking constantly, gradually add the milk, followed by the half-and-half, then continue to cook for about 7 minutes or until the sauce simmers and thickens.
After removing the skillet from the heat, stir in the salt and nutmeg, followed by the Greek yogurt, cheddar, and half of the sage.
Add the drained pasta and ham, and toss gently to coat.
Now, you want to transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and olive oil and sprinkle the mixture over the pasta. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 10 minutes.
Uncover the casserole and allow it to bake for another 10 minutes or until the crumbs are golden and the pasta is hot and bubbly. If desired, turn your broiler to high to brown the crumbs, being careful not to burn them.
Remove your Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining sage then serve.

Recipe Tips

Make sure you cut up your ham into bite-sized pieces when you’re cutting it up. Your ham will mix better and be easier to eat!
You can use any type of breadcrumbs. If you like the flavor of seasoned breadcrumbs, you could even use them instead of traditional breadcrumbs!
It doesn’t matter what pasta you have on hand, you can use rotini, penne, bowties, etc. You can make this dish healthier by using whole wheat pasta instead.
Before adding the ham to the casserole, it should be cooked. Uncooked ham should not be used in this recipe.
After the holidays, this is a great way to use leftover ham. Make Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole the next day for breakfast or dinner with any leftovers!
Potatoes can be diced, chopped, or sliced however you like. As long as they’re all cut to the same size and shape, they will cook consistently. Before serving, make sure the potatoes are tender and fully cooked.
During most of the baking time, cover the casserole. In the end, you’ll add cheese, and then place it back in the oven uncovered.
Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole is ready when the cheese is fully melted and the potatoes are tender.

FAQ Section

Can I halve the Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole recipe?

This Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole recipe serves about 8 people. The recipe can be halved if needed. Make sure to use a smaller baking dish if you do so. If this recipe is more than you need, you can freeze half of it for another meal.

Can I use turkey or chicken in Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole instead?

If you prefer, you can substitute chicken or turkey for the ham in this Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole recipe. Regardless of the meat you use, make sure it is fully cooked and diced.

Can I Make Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole Gluten-Free?

While I haven’t personally experimented with gluten-free swaps, I think they would work. Your Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and gluten-free flour.

Can I Make Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole with Another Meat?

The Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole can definitely be made with another meat if you’d like. Turkey or chicken cooked, diced, or shredded would be tasty additions.

What types of pasta are best for Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole?

Use tubular pasta with deep ridges, like rigatoni, Piccoli, or Ronchetti, to avoid this heartbreaking sauce loss. Do not use noodles that are too long, thin, or floppy, and do not use thin noodles since they will overcook rapidly.

Can I Add Vegetables to Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole?

You can add baby spinach or frozen peas along with the pasta and ham to Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole to make it more veggie-dense.

How long will Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole last?

Cover the Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Since potatoes aren’t very good freezers (their high water content causes them to turn mushy after freezing), they’re only a minor player in this dish. Feel free to freeze the casserole for up to 3 months. Individually frozen servings make for easy meal preparation in the future.

How do I reheat Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole?

To reheat your Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole leftovers, In a microwave-safe dish, place an individual portion. On 50% power, heat for about 1-2 minutes at a time, until heated through. Stir at least once while heating. In order to reheat a larger portion, place the casserole in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

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Pioneer Woman Ham Casserole Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 263
Total Fat 17.7g
Saturated Fat 10.9g
Cholesterol 60.4mg
Sodium 181.9mg
Potassium 316.8mg
Total Carbohydrate 19.1g
Dietary Fiber 1.4g
Sugars 3.5g
Protein 7.3g
Vitamin A 13%
Vitamin C 6.4%
Calcium 12.1%
Iron 3.1%

Nutrition Facts Source: Source