Ham and Peas Mac and Cheese – Freezer Meal

This Ham and Peas Mac and Cheese is a great make ahead meal that the whole family will love. Even my kids, who typically avoid casseroles, love it. And why wouldn’t they, it includes all their favourites – cheese, macaroni, ham, carrots and peas. Classic comfort food.  

ham and peas mac and cheese on fork
Peas, carrots and whole wheat macaroni for this mac and cheese – Mama Wins!

More easy pasta ideas: Spinach Ricotta Pasta Bake, Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta, Homemade Tomato Sauce with Canned Tomatoes and Macaroni, Spinach & Chicken Bake.

This recipe fills a 9×13 inch pan, enough to feed 6 to 8 people. I often split it into two smaller casserole dishes, one to eat right away and one to stash in the freezer. The freezer portion is perfect for those crazy busy days when there’s little time to do anything but heat something up. Sometimes, the dish doesn’t even make it into the oven, people just grab a bowlful and heat it up in the microwave. That’s totally okay with me – at least they’re fuelling up with good wholesome food. 

freezer ready mac and cheese

I also love that this mac and cheese recipe is totally customize-able based on whatever leftovers or veggies you have in your fridge or freezer. Instead of ham, use chicken, leftover roast pork, turkey or canned tuna, instead of carrots or peas try broccoli, cauliflower, sweet peppers or even spinach.

Vary the ingredients. This mac and cheese recipe works great with leftover ham, chicken, mixed/frozen veggies and herbs.

Homemade Mac & Cheese Recipe

Here’s my recipe for homemade mac and cheese for you to use as is or as inspiration for your own delicious creation.

mac and cheese with ham and peas
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Ham and Peas Mac and Cheese

A wholesome homemade mac and cheese made with whole wheat macaroni, peas, carrots and ham. This recipe is perfect for freezing and using leftover meat (chicken, turkey, roast pork, tuna) and veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, sweet peppers).
Prep : 40 minutes
Cook : 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Getty Stewart

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw whole wheat macaroni 375 g box
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • ½ cup onion chopped (1/2 onion)
  • ½ cup celery finely diced
  • 3 Tbsp flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 tsp hot dry mustard
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 medium carrot grated
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley dill or tarragon

Instructions

  • In large pot, bring water to boil and cook macaroni al dente (slightly firm). Drain and set macaroni aside.
  • In large pot, heat oil or butter over medium heat. Add onions and celery and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Add flour and mix well. Allow to cook for 1 minute.
  • Gradually whisk in milk until sauce thickens. Stir in hot mustard, nutmeg and black pepper.
  • Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted and mixed in.
  • Add carrots, frozen peas (not thawed) ham, parsley and cooked macaroni.
  • Transfer to a lightly greased 3 quart (3 litre) casserole dish or a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  • Bake in preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Or freeze.

Freezing Instructions

  • Freeze before baking.
  • Cool mix completely before freezing to avoid condensation and ice crystals.
  • Freeze in a well sealed casserole dish, aluminum foil pan or freezer bag.
  • To freeze in a container, cover top with a layer of aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Cover with well sealing lid or aluminum foil.
  • Or transfer prepared mix into a large freezer bag. Remove air from bag, flatten and place on flat surface to freeze.
  • Label with date, recipe name and cooking instructions and use within 3 months.

Cooking Instructions for Frozen Mac & Cheese

  • Thaw in fridge overnight.
  • If casserole is in freezer bag, transfer thawed ingredients to 3L casserole dish.
  • Bake in preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. If still slightly frozen, increase cooking time as needed.

Notes

Replace ham with cooked chicken, turkey, pork or tuna.
Replace frozen peas with frozen broccoli, cauliflower, sweet peppers, spinach, etc.
Optional Bread Crumb Topping
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
1 Tbsp parsley
Mix together and sprinkle on top of casserole just before baking. Can also add Parmesan cheese if you wish.
Tried this recipe?Mention @GetGettyS or tag #GetGettyS

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 486kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 21g | Sodium: 729mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Iron: 3mg
Course: main dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked pasta, chickpeas, fully cooked ham, mac and cheese

Easy crowd-pleasing freezer meal

ham and peas mac and cheese with bread crumb topping ingredients
Panko or breadcrumbs, butter and herbs make a quick & delicious crispy topping.
Frozen veggies work great in this recipe.
Serve with a garden salad, coleslaw or sliced veggies to make it a whole meal.

Perfect recipe for families, crowds, freezing ahead, using leftovers, using whole grain pasta, and adding veggies to dishes. It does all that and it’s affordable – I love that in a recipe. I hope you love it too.

If you make this mac and cheese recipe, let me know what you think. Leave a comment or take a photo and tag #getgettys so I can see it and like it!

Sign up to get articles by Getty delivered to your inbox. You’ll get recipes, practical tips and great food information like this. Getty is a Professional Home Economist,  speaker and writer putting good food on tables and agendas.  She is the author of Manitoba’s best-selling Prairie Fruit Cookbook, Founder of Fruit Share, a mom and veggie gardener.

4 Comments

    1. Hi Joy,
      Hmm, I’m stumped. I just tried it and when I hit the green print button within the recipe card, it goes directly to a print screen that gives me some sizing options before printing. I can’t replicate the issue that you’re having, so not sure what to recommend. It doesn’t seem like there are any settings I can change here.

      One option may be to use the Snipping Tool to capture the recipe from the screen and print it from there? The Snipping Tool is available either in Accessories or in the Program list in your computer control panel.

      Sorry I couldn’t offer an easier solution.

      All the best,
      Getty

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