As food bloggers, our daily pursuit often involves presenting recipes that appear effortlessly perfect and visually stunning. Yet, the reality behind the scenes can be a whirlwind of unexpected challenges and culinary adventures. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on one such journey, culminating in this incredibly cheesy and comforting Slow Cooker Crock Pot Ham and Swiss Casserole Recipe. While the end result is a resounding success, reaching that point involved a few (okay, three!) detours, reminding us that even in the kitchen, perfection is often a process.
The Ultimate Cheesy Slow Cooker Ham and Swiss Casserole Recipe
There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting casserole to bring the family together, especially one that makes brilliant use of delicious leftover ham. Our Cheesy Slow Cooker Ham and Swiss Casserole isn’t just a meal; it’s a hearty experience designed for busy weeknights and cozy gatherings. This recipe promises a creamy, savory blend of tender ham, rich Swiss cheese, and perfectly cooked egg noodles, all melded together in the convenience of your slow cooker. It’s the perfect way to transform holiday ham into another incredible dish that everyone will adore.
My Three-Attempt Culinary Adventure: The Road to Casserole Perfection
Don’t let the delicious final product fool you; the path to perfecting this Ham and Swiss Casserole for our readers was quite an adventure. My initial goal was to create a simple video showcasing a fantastic way to utilize leftover ham, especially after our Crock Pot Ham video garnered over 3 million views on Facebook. It was clear many of you had ham, and you needed innovative ways to enjoy every last bite!
**Attempt #1: Video Vexations**
I started my morning with high hopes, meticulously preparing the Cheesy Crock Pot Ham and Swiss Casserole. The dish itself was turning out beautifully, smelling incredible, and looking absolutely photo-ready. However, as often happens in the world of content creation, technology had other plans. The video recording came out completely messed up—funky angles, out-of-sync audio, and just generally unusable footage. A truly frustrating start, forcing me to scrap the entire production.
**Attempt #2: The Noodle Nightmare**
Undaunted, I headed back to the grocery store, determined to reshoot and succeed. In an effort to save a mere 50 cents, I made a critical error: I picked up generic egg noodles instead of my go-to “No Yolk” brand. Back home, I carefully began round two. I cooked the noodles and started layering them with the ham, cheese, and creamy sauce. It was then that I discovered my mistake. The generic noodles, instead of retaining their delightful chewiness, had clumped together into an unappetizing, gummy pasta paste. The texture was horrid, and it completely ruined the integrity of the casserole. With a sigh of defeat, I had to toss the entire second batch. Lesson learned: sometimes, saving a little means sacrificing a lot in quality.
**Attempt #3: Triumph and Deliciousness!**
For the third time, I journeyed to the grocery store, ensuring I bought the correct ingredients this time. Exhausted but resolute, I restarted the recipe. And finally, success! The third attempt was perfect. The noodles held their shape, the cheese melted into a gooey dream, and the ham was tender and flavorful. I was able to capture the step-by-step video, which I’m thrilled to share with you below. Thankfully, my husband John is a huge fan of this Cheesy Crock Pot Ham and Swiss Casserole and certainly didn’t complain about enjoying the “practice rounds” as leftovers throughout the week!
We’ve also whipped up a fantastic Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup Recipe using leftover ham, which we think you’ll absolutely love too!
Watch the Magic Unfold: Step-by-Step Video Guide
Sometimes, seeing is believing! Here’s the video demonstrating how to make this delightful Cheesy Crock Pot Ham and Swiss Casserole with ease:
Why Your Slow Cooker is Perfect for This Ham and Swiss Casserole
The slow cooker is an absolute game-changer when it comes to casseroles, especially this Ham and Swiss delight. Here’s why it’s our preferred method:
- Hands-Off Cooking: Once assembled, your slow cooker does all the work. No need to constantly monitor the oven or stir a pot on the stovetop. This frees up your time for other tasks, or simply to relax!
- Consistent, Even Heat: Slow cookers provide gentle, consistent heat that prevents burning and ensures all the ingredients cook evenly. This is crucial for melting cheese perfectly and tenderizing the ham.
- Flavor Development: Low and slow cooking allows the flavors of the ham, Swiss cheese, mushrooms, and creamy sauce to meld together beautifully. The prolonged cooking time deepens the savory notes, creating a richer, more complex taste profile.
- Perfect for Leftovers: The gentle heat helps prevent the casserole from drying out, making it ideal for reheating leftovers, which often taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- Convenience: Ideal for busy weeknights, potlucks, or meal prepping. You can assemble it in the morning and come home to a delicious, hot meal.
For best results, we highly recommend using a slow cooker with a digital timer that automatically switches to a “warm” setting after the cooking cycle. This feature ensures your dinner is perfectly cooked and ready when you are, eliminating any stress about overcooking.
Key Ingredients for a Delicious Cheesy Ham and Swiss Casserole
Each ingredient in this casserole plays a vital role in creating its irresistible flavor and texture:
- Leftover Cooked Ham: The star of the show! Cubed ham brings a wonderful salty, savory depth that pairs perfectly with the creamy elements. It’s the ultimate ingredient to transform holiday remnants into a whole new meal.
- Egg Noodles: As I learned the hard way, the quality of your egg noodles truly matters. Opt for a good quality brand, like “No Yolk” egg noodles, for their superior texture that resists clumping and holds up well in the slow cooker.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: This forms the creamy base of our sauce, adding a rich, umami flavor that complements the ham and cheese without overpowering them. It’s a classic pantry staple for a reason!
- Mushroom Pieces: Drained mushroom pieces add an extra layer of earthy flavor and a pleasant texture that pairs wonderfully with the soup and ham.
- Sour Cream: This provides a tangy counterpoint to the richness of the soup and cheese, adding an extra layer of creaminess and preventing the casserole from being too heavy. It also helps to create that desired smooth, luxurious sauce.
- Shredded Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese is a natural partner for ham. Its nutty, slightly sweet, and wonderfully meltable qualities are essential for that signature cheesy, gooey texture that makes this casserole so comforting.
Tips for the Best Cheesy Slow Cooker Ham and Swiss Casserole
- Noodle Choice is Crucial: As my story highlights, invest in quality egg noodles. The “No Yolk” variety tends to hold its shape better and avoid becoming a gummy mess. Cook them al dente according to package directions, as they will continue to cook slightly in the slow cooker.
- Even Layering: Don’t rush the layering process. Evenly distribute each component (noodles, ham, cheese, and sauce) to ensure every bite is perfectly balanced and full of flavor.
- Don’t Overcook: While it’s a slow cooker, it’s still possible to overcook, especially the noodles. Keep an eye on the lower end of the cooking time (2 hours on low) to ensure the noodles remain tender but not mushy, and the cheese is beautifully melted.
- Serve with a Side: This rich casserole pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad to cut through the richness, or some crusty bread for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce.
- Storage and Reheating: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through. You might want to add a splash of milk or broth if it seems a little dry.
Great Leftover Ham Recipes
If you’re looking for even more ways to enjoy that delicious leftover ham, we’ve got you covered! Explore our collection of great leftover ham recipes, perfect for transforming your holiday ham into brand new family favorites:
- Funeral Sandwiches (Ham and Cheese Sliders)
- Crock Pot Orange Glazed Ham
- Bourbon Glazed Ham
- Crock Pot Ham Macaroni and Cheese
- Crock Pot Ham and Cheese Grits
Do you love discovering new recipes? Be sure to check out our extensive categories for more culinary inspiration: from inventive copycat recipes that mimic your restaurant favorites, to decadent dessert recipes, and of course, many more convenient Crock Pot Recipes designed for ease and flavor!
Cheesy Crock Pot Ham and Swiss Casserole Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 package Egg Noodles (preferably “No Yolk” for best texture)
- 10 ¾ Ounce Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 4 Ounce Mushroom pieces (drained)
- 16 Ounce Sour Cream
- 2 cups cooked ham cubed (perfect for leftover ham!)
- 2 cups Swiss Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Cook the egg noodles according to package directions, aiming for al dente. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the Cream of Mushroom Soup, drained mushroom pieces, and sour cream. Stir until well blended and smooth.
- Prepare your slow cooker by lightly greasing the insert. Begin layering: place ⅓ of the cooked egg noodles at the bottom, followed by ⅓ of the cubed ham, ⅓ of the shredded Swiss cheese, and then ⅓ of the sour cream/soup mixture.
- Repeat the layering process two more times, ensuring the final layer is topped with the remaining sour cream/soup mix.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-4 hours, or until the casserole is bubbly, heated through, and the cheese is fully melted.
- Gently stir the casserole together before serving to ensure all ingredients are well combined and coated in the creamy sauce. Enjoy!
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker (preferably with a digital timer)
- Large mixing bowl
- Large pot for noodles
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 207