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  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Ham Tetrazzini

Ham Tetrazzini

It's the perfect meal for Easter leftovers.

By Leah PerezUpdated: Mar 18, 2025
Star FillStar FillStar FillStar FillHalf Star
4.8
4 Ratings
the pioneer woman's ham tetrazzini recipe
Will Dickey
Yields:
6 - 8 serving(s)
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
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the pioneer woman's ham tetrazzini recipe

Looking for ways to use up some of that Easter ham? Starring a creamy sauce, perfectly cooked spaghetti, and a crispy-crunchy breadcrumb topping, this easy, cheesy ham tetrazzini is one of the most delicious baked pasta dishes to make with leftovers. You can even make it ahead and pop it in the fridge or freezer until ready to bake in the oven. Inspired by another leftover savior (turkey tetrazzini), this comfort food casserole will have you cooking a whole ham just to make it. It's just one of many leftover ham recipes worth trying!

What is in ham tetrazzini?

This casserole has spaghetti, diced ham, green peas, and a creamy, aromatic sauce that's full of cheese. It's topped with buttery parmesan breadcrumbs that protect the pasta from drying out and, on top of that, are so darn tasty!

What is the difference between tetrazzini and à la King?

A dish served à la king generally consists of a cream sauce flavored with wine, mushrooms, peas and other vegetables served over rice, noodles, or with bread. While it does bear a resemblance to tetrazzini, tetrazzini gets the distinct pleasure of containing cheese.

Can you make ham tetrazzini ahead of time?

Absolutely. Assemble the casserole without the breadcrumbs, saving ¼ cup of pasta water. Store it, 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 the casserole with the reserved water, sprinkle it with breadcrumbs, and bake it 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 before removing the foil and baking for 15 to 20 minutes more.

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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

    1. Step 1Preheat the oven to 350°F.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.)
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.

Love this recipe? Try one of these next!
  • Ham Casserole
  • Chicken Tetrazzini
  • Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
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