
Yields:
6 - 8 serving(s)
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Got leftover Easter ham sitting in the fridge? This creamy, cheesy ham tetrazzini is one of the coziest and most delicious ways to put it to good use. Loaded with spaghetti, savory bites of ham, and sweet green peas, it all comes together in a rich, comforting sauce that bakes up bubbly and golden. And let’s not forget the crispy, buttery breadcrumb topping—it adds just the right crunch to balance all that creamy goodness.
This baked pasta dish is the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough to serve to a crowd. Even better, ham tetrazzini is incredibly make-ahead friendly. You can assemble the whole casserole in advance and stash it in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to bake.
Inspired by classic turkey tetrazzini, this version might just become your new favorite leftover hack. In fact, don’t be surprised if you find yourself making a ham just so you can enjoy this comforting, cheesy pasta all over again.
What pasta works best for ham tetrazzini?
Spaghetti is the classic choice, but you can also use linguine, fettuccine, or even short pasta like penne if that’s what you have on hand. It will all taste delicious in the creamy sauce!
What can you use if you don't have leftover ham for tetrazzini?
If you don’t have leftover ham, you can use thick-cut deli ham or a diced ham steak instead. Both are fully cooked and work perfectly in tetrazzini—just chop into bite-sized pieces and use as directed.
Can you make ham tetrazzini ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble the casserole without the breadcrumbs, saving ¼ cup of the pasta water. Store the casserole, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When dinner rolls around, simply remove the casserole from the refrigerator while the oven preheats. Drizzle it with the reserved pasta water, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and bake for 10 minutes longer than the original recipe.
Can you freeze ham tetrazzini?
Yes! The casserole can be assembled completely, with the breadcrumbs, and frozen for up to one month. Thaw the ham tetrazzini overnight in the refrigerator. While the oven preheats, remove it from the refrigerator. Bake the casserole, covered with foil, for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes more or until heated through.
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Ingredients
- 1 lb. spaghetti, broken in half
- 6 Tbsp. salted butter, divided
- 2 cups diced ham
- 8 oz. white mushrooms, quartered
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste and for pasta water
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese or Swiss cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Directions
- Step 1Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Step 2In a large pot of salted water, cook the pasta 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Reserving about ¾ cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, rinse, and set aside.
- Step 3In a large pot over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Stir in the ham and sauté until golden and fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the ham to a plate.
- Step 4In the same pot, heat 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and salt, and sauté until the mushrooms release their liquid and begin to turn golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the wine and allow it to cook with the mushrooms until the liquid reduces by half, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Step 5Sprinkle in the flour, and cook until the flour is slightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly pour in the broth and stir, cooking for another few minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Step 6Reduce the heat to medium low. Gradually add the cream cheese, stirring until combined. Do not boil the sauce. Add the ham, peas, cheddar cheese, and ¾ cup of parmesan. Stir to combine. Add the pepper and salt, to taste.
- Step 7Add the cooked spaghetti and stir to combine. Add the pasta water, about 2 tablespoons at a time, to loosen the sauce. (Add up to ½ cup of water, as needed.)
- Step 8Meanwhile, in a medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted. Stir in the breadcrumbs and the remaining ¼ cup of parmesan.
- Step 9Spray a large (3-quart or 13-by-9-inch) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the mixture into the pan. Drizzle the top with another ¼ cup of pasta water to keep the spaghetti from drying out. Sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Step 10Bake until the casserole is bubbly and the crumbs are golden brown, 20 minutes. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving, sprinkled with parsley, if you like.
Tip: If you're running out of time, the ham can be added to the cream sauce without being sautéed.
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