Description
Classic ham tetrazzini combines creamy pasta, tender meat, and savory cheese in a comforting Italian-American casserole. Pasta lovers can savor this hearty dish that brings simple ingredients together for a satisfying meal you will crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 cups diced cooked ham
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 8 oz (226 g) spaghetti
- 1 (10.75-oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 oz (170 g) mushrooms, sliced
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120 mL) milk
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350F (175C), establishing the perfect thermal environment for the upcoming culinary adventure.
- Pasta Transformation: Cook spaghetti to al dente perfection, drain, and set aside, creating a foundational canvas for the dish.
- Flavor Building: In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté onions and mushrooms until they release their aromatic essence and achieve a tender consistency, approximately 5 minutes.
- Sauce Crafting: Whisk condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk into a velvety sauce, seasoning with salt and black pepper to amplify the flavor profile.
- Ingredient Fusion: Incorporate diced ham, thawed peas, and three-quarters of the cheddar cheese into the skillet, stirring until the cheese melts and ingredients harmonize completely.
- Pasta Integration: Thoroughly coat the cooked spaghetti with the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously enveloped.
- Casserole Assembly: Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly to guarantee consistent flavor distribution.
- Crowning Glory: Adorn the casserole with remaining cheddar cheese, sprinkle Parmesan, and optional breadcrumbs to create a golden, crispy exterior.
- Baking Finale: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the interior bubbles with anticipation, then allow the tetrazzini to rest briefly before serving this comforting masterpiece.
Notes
- Choose Quality Ham: Select high-quality, lean ham without excessive fat for a cleaner, more refined flavor profile in the dish.
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Monitor spaghetti closely during boiling to maintain al dente texture, preventing mushy consistency that can ruin the recipe’s overall appeal.
- Manage Sauce Consistency: Control sauce thickness by adjusting milk quantity – add gradually to achieve creamy yet not runny texture that coats pasta perfectly.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap ingredients for gluten-free or low-carb versions like using zucchini noodles instead of spaghetti, or replacing regular milk with almond milk for lactose-sensitive individuals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg