This Bobby Flay Ham And Cheese Casserole is a creamy and cheesy recipe, which is made with tender rotini pasta and savory ham. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, a perfect one-dish meal for a quick family dinner, ready in about an hour.
Bobby Flay Ham And Cheese Casserole Ingredients
A classic combination for a truly hearty and satisfying meal.
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup heavy cream, divided
- 1 ½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups leftover diced ham
- 2 scallions, sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
How To Make Bobby Flay Ham And Cheese Casserole
A step-by-step guide to this classic, one-pan comfort food dinner.
- Prep Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly butter an 8×8-inch oven-safe dish. Cook the rotini pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it is al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than the package directs. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cream Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to make a roux. Slowly pour in the milk and ¼ cup of the cream, whisking continuously until smooth. Add the salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5-8 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Combine the Casserole: In a large bowl, mix together the undercooked pasta, the prepared cream sauce, the sour cream, 1 cup of the grated cheddar cheese, the diced ham, and the sliced scallions.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining ½ cup of grated cheese. Drizzle the remaining ¼ cup of heavy cream evenly over the top.
- Bake and Serve: Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the casserole is hot, bubbling, and the cheese on top is golden brown. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips
For the most delicious, perfectly creamy casserole.
- How to prevent mushy pasta? The key is to undercook the pasta by 1-2 minutes during the boiling step. It will continue to cook in the oven as the casserole bakes, absorbing the sauce and becoming perfectly tender, not mushy.
- How to get the creamiest sauce? For the smoothest, most flavorful cheese sauce, grate your own sharp cheddar cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses are often coated in starches that can make the sauce grainy.
- Can I use a substitute for sour cream? Yes. If you don’t have sour cream, an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute. It provides a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture.
- How can I add a spicy kick? A pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce stirred into the cream sauce would be a delicious way to add a bit of heat to balance the richness of the casserole.
What To Serve With Ham And Cheese Casserole
Simple sides to complete this hearty one-dish dinner.
This hearty casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:
- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
- Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli
- A slice of warm garlic bread or a crusty roll
How To Store Ham And Cheese Casserole
Keeping your delicious leftovers creamy.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: For the best texture, reheat the casserole in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through. This will help to re-crisp the top slightly.
Bobby Flay Ham And Cheese Casserole Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Fat: 35 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, this is a fantastic make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it with foil, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Absolutely. Any short pasta shape like shells, elbow macaroni, or bow ties would work well. For the cheese, a Gruyère, Swiss, or Colby blend would be delicious substitutes.
It’s generally not recommended to freeze this casserole after it’s been baked, as the creamy sauce can sometimes separate and the texture of the pasta can become mushy upon thawing.

Bobby Flay Ham And Cheese Casserole Recipe
Description
The ultimate creamy and cheesy comfort food, this Ham and Cheese Casserole features tender rotini pasta and savory ham baked in a rich, homemade cheese sauce until golden and bubbly.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter an 8×8-inch dish.
- Cook the pasta for 1-2 minutes less than the package directions; drain.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter, whisk in the flour for 1 minute, then slowly whisk in the milk and ¼ cup of the cream until smooth. Add seasonings and simmer until thickened.
- In a large bowl, combine the undercooked pasta, the cream sauce, sour cream, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, the ham, and the scallions.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with the remaining ½ cup of cheese and drizzle with the remaining ¼ cup of cream.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbling and golden. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Undercooking the pasta is the key to preventing a mushy casserole. It will finish cooking in the oven.
- This is the perfect recipe for using up leftover holiday ham.
- Grating your own cheese from a block will result in the creamiest, smoothest sauce.
- This casserole can be assembled a day in advance and refrigerated. Just add extra time to the bake.