Ham Tetrazzini – easy weeknight dinner!

Ham Tetrazzini is my kind of weeknight dinner. It has that creamy, cozy pasta vibe, but it skips the extra steps and uses what you probably already have.

It takes about 10 minutes of hands-on time while the pasta cooks. Stir up a quick sauce, toss everything together, and dinner is done.

Also, real life check: I am not a Pinterest mom. I cook and write for a living, but I’m still a busy mom who doesn’t always plan ahead. Keeping a few staples around means I can pull off a solid dinner without a spreadsheet and a vision board.

If you’ve got leftover ham, this is a great way to use it up. It’s a fun switch from turkey tetrazzini, and it proves shortcuts can still taste really good.

If you’re into ham, try my chicken spaghetti, this One Pan Ham & Cheese Pasta recipe, or this Ham & Pineapple Cheese Ball!

• Easy to make. No culinary degree required.
• Common ingredients. Nothing fancy, you can find everything at your local grocery store. This recipe uses up leftover ham!
• Quick! You can have this on the table very fast (like, 10 minutes)

If you want another cozy bowl-of-pasta situation, fall pumpkin pasta is perfect when the weather cools down.

Kylee’s Notes

Any kind of pasta can be used – whatever you have in the pantry is AWESOME!

Switch out the cream of chicken soup for cheddar cheese soup, or cream of mushroom soup if you prefer.

Add a little more water depending on your needs – mix the pasta in and assess the situation!

Use a yellow or white onion in place of the red (I like the red for color!)

What to do with leftovers

Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat to piping hot!

• Pasta – any kind will do! Spaghetti is my favorite in this, but whatever you have will work just fine!
• Onion – cut this to a medium dice.
• Garlic – mince it! (double it if you are feeling like you need a little extra garlic in your life)
• Cream of chicken soup – buy it or make your own. You do you. See below for alternative.
• Water
• Cheddar cheese – switch it up and use pepper jack or Monterey. Mm. Cheese.
• Cubed ham – versatile, high in protein, delicious. Use leftover ham from a holiday, or just pick up a pack from the grocery store.
• Roasted red peppers – I buy these in a jar, and just dice them up. Pimentos work too!
• Parsley – optional, but see that burst of green? So pretty.

How to make Ham Tetrazzini:

The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below. 

Cook the pasta

Begin by boiling a pot of water and add a little salt. Cook the spaghetti according to package – we like it al dente (still firm to the bite, but not crunchy) (Pic 1).

Make the sauce

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook the onion ’til it begins to soften, then add the garlic (Pics 2-4).
Add the chicken soup, water, and cheddar cheese, and mix it around until the cheese melts (Pics 5-8).

Assemble:

Add the ham, drained pasta, roasted red peppers and the parsley (Pics 9-10).

Mix it all together gently. Cook and stir to allow the ham to heat through. Allow the ham to heat (Pics 11-12).

DEVOUR: Grab a fork, people, it’s dinner time!

Want more Easy Pasta Recipes?

• Chili Mac with Turkey. We’re bringing childhood back! Lightened-up with turkey vs beef, and made in one pan – this one is a family favorite!
• Skillet Mac & Cheese. Comfort food at its finest, this skillet mac & cheese is so easy! Just the skillet and a pasta pot, the and a quick broil, and this is ready FAST!
• Florentine Chicken Lasagna Rolls Spinach, garlic, and cheese are all winners for this weeknight dinner! Delicious homemade Alfredo sauce is the key to these!

5 from 8 votes

Ham Tetrazzini

Author Kylee Ayotte

Servings 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

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A super-fast weeknight dinner, this Ham Tetrazzini is a spin on the traditional version, and is sure to please the whole family.

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Equipment

• Skillet

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 8 ounces spaghetti
• ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
• ▢ ½ cup onion diced
• ▢ 1 clove garlic minced
• ▢ 10.75 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup you may use cream of mushroom if you prefer
• ▢ 3/4 cup water
• ▢ 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
• ▢ 8 ounces ham cubed
• ▢ 3 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
• ▢ 3 tablespoons roasted red peppers chopped

Instructions

• Cook 8 ounces spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• While spaghetti is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Cook ½ cup onion until it begins to soften, then add 1 clove garlic (minced), cooking for 30 seconds.
• Mix in 10.75 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup, 3/4 cup water, and 1 cup cheddar cheese.
• Cook, stirring regularly until the cheese melts.
• Add 8 ounces ham, spaghetti, 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, and 3 tablespoons roasted red peppers and mix well.
• Cook until everything is heated through. Serve.
• Devour.

⭐️ Don’t Forget! I love to hear how this turned out for you! Share your thoughts by leaving a review and rating below.

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Nutrition

Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 1127mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 567IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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About Kylee Ayotte

I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee