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!

Step-by-step photos and instructions are below. Jump to the recipe card if you wish!

Why you’ll love this

• 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.

• Pasta. Any kind will work, but spaghetti is my favorite for this. Use what you have – it all cooks up great in this dish.
• Onion. Adds flavor and a little sweetness. Dice it to a medium size so it cooks evenly and blends into the sauce.
• Garlic. Minced for that classic savory base. Add extra if you’re feeling it – no one’s mad about more garlic.
• Cream of chicken soup. This is what makes the sauce creamy and easy. Use store-bought or homemade if you prefer.
• Water. Helps loosen the sauce and cook everything evenly.
• Cheddar cheese. Melts into the sauce and makes everything rich and cheesy. You can swap with Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a little extra flavor.
• Ham. Cubed ham adds protein and that salty, savory bite. Perfect for using up leftover holiday ham or grab some pre-diced from the store.
• Roasted red peppers. Add a little sweetness and color. I usually grab a jar and dice them up. Pimentos work too if that’s what you have.
• Parsley. Optional, but adds a pop of color and a fresh finish at the end.

How to make Ham Tetrazzini

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!

More recipes to love

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

Print

Rate

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

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

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.

Would you like to save this recipe?

We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

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.

Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.

Did you make this recipe?

Make sure to follow @kyleecooks on Instagram for more and tag me #kyleecooks so I can see!

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