There are noodle casseroles that require boiling water, making a sauce from scratch, and baking in the oven. And then there is this Slow Cooker Amish White Cheddar Ham Noodles. With just five simple ingredients and almost no effort, you can create a dish that is creamy, cheesy, and deeply satisfying. Cubed ham, white cheddar cheese, egg noodles, and a creamy broth come together in the slow cooker to create a hearty, comforting meal that tastes like it simmered on the stovetop all day.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. The ham provides salty, savory flavor. The white cheddar melts into a creamy, tangy sauce. The egg noodles cook right in the slow cooker, absorbing all the rich, cheesy goodness. The result is a dish that is reminiscent of homemade mac and cheese but with the hearty addition of ham.
Perfect for using up leftover holiday ham, busy weeknights, or any time you need a warm, comforting meal without a lot of fuss. Serve it straight from the slow cooker with a side of green vegetables or a simple salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Only 5 simple ingredients
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Set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker convenience
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Noodles cook right in the slow cooker (no boiling)
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Creamy, cheesy, savory white cheddar sauce
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Perfect for using up leftover ham
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A complete one-pot meal
Slow Cooker Amish White Cheddar Ham Noodles
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 3-4 hours (first cook) + 20-35 minutes (noodle stage) | Total Time: Approximately 4-5 hours
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
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3 cups cubed cooked ham (about 1 pound, ½-inch cubes)
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8 ounces shredded white cheddar cheese (about 2 cups), divided
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3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
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1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
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12 ounces wide egg noodles (uncooked, about 6 cups dry)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Slow Cooker:
Lightly grease the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray for easier cleanup.
2. Layer the Ham:
Spread the cubed ham evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker, keeping it in a single layer as much as possible.
3. Add the Cheese:
Sprinkle 6 ounces (about 1½ cups) of the shredded white cheddar cheese evenly over the ham so it is well covered. This base layer will melt down into a cheesy sauce as it cooks.
4. Make the Sauce:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and condensed cream of chicken soup until smooth and well combined.
5. Pour Over the Layers:
Pour the broth and soup mixture evenly over the ham and cheese, making sure the ham is mostly submerged. Do not stir; leave the layers as they are.
6. First Cook:
Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, or until the mixture is hot and the cheese has melted into the broth to form a creamy sauce.
7. Stir and Add Noodles:
Stir the ham and cheesy sauce together, scraping the bottom gently with a heat-safe spoon to make sure nothing is sticking. Add the uncooked egg noodles to the slow cooker, pressing them down gently into the sauce so they are mostly covered.
8. Cook the Noodles:
Cover again and cook on HIGH for 20 to 35 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the noodles are tender but not mushy. Slow cookers vary, so start checking at 20 minutes and add a splash of extra broth if it looks too thick or dry.
9. Finish with Remaining Cheese:
Once the noodles are cooked to your liking, sprinkle the remaining 2 ounces (about ½ cup) shredded white cheddar over the top. Gently fold it in until melted and the noodles are coated in a creamy, cheesy sauce.
10. Serve:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot straight from the slow cooker.
Recipe Notes & Pro Tips
Leftover Ham: This recipe is perfect for using up leftover holiday ham. If you do not have leftover ham, diced ham steak or ham from the deli counter works beautifully. Avoid pre-packaged ham cubes that may be overly salty or have added water.
White Cheddar: White cheddar provides a sharp, tangy, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with ham. Yellow cheddar can be substituted, but the flavor will be slightly different. For the best melt, shred the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese (which contains anti-caking agents).
Do Not Stir Before First Cook: Keeping the ham and cheese on the bottom and the liquid on top allows the cheese to melt into the broth gradually, creating a creamy sauce. Stirring before cooking would mix everything together and could result in uneven cooking.
Egg Noodles: Wide egg noodles are ideal for this dish because they hold their shape and absorb the sauce beautifully. Do not substitute other pasta shapes without adjusting cooking time. Do not pre-cook the noodles; they cook perfectly in the slow cooker.
Add Vegetables (Optional): For a more complete one-dish meal, add 1 cup of frozen peas, 1 cup of chopped broccoli, or 1 cup of sliced mushrooms along with the noodles. The vegetables will cook in the sauce.
Make It Richer: For an even creamier dish, stir in ½ cup of sour cream or ¼ cup of heavy cream along with the noodles. The cream adds richness and a velvety texture.
Variations
Ham and Broccoli Noodles: Add 1 cup of chopped broccoli florets along with the noodles. The broccoli adds color, texture, and nutrition.
Ham and Pea Noodles: Add 1 cup of frozen peas along with the noodles. The peas add sweetness and a pop of color.
Smoked Ham Noodles: Use smoked ham or ham hocks for an extra layer of smoky flavor. If using ham hocks, remove the meat from the bones before adding to the slow cooker.
Cheddar and Bacon Ham Noodles: Cook 6 slices of bacon until crisp, then crumble. Sprinkle the bacon over the top along with the final cheese. The smoky, salty bacon adds another dimension of flavor.
Spicy Ham Noodles: Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning to the broth mixture. For extra heat, add 2 chopped pickled jalapeños.
Creamy Chicken and Ham Noodles:Substitute the ham with 2 cups of cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken. The chicken and ham combination is delicious.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy, cheesy noodle dish is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with:
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Steamed green beans or broccoli
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Roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts
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A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette
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Crusty bread for sopping up the sauce
For a complete Amish-style meal, serve with:
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Applesauce or sauerkraut
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Freshly baked bread
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A glass of cold milk
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The noodles will continue to absorb liquid as they sit, so the dish will thicken over time.
To reheat, add a splash of milk or broth and warm gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave in 60-second bursts.
This dish freezes well for up to 3 months. Cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Why This Recipe Works
This Amish White Cheddar Ham Noodles is a masterclass in simple, layered slow cooking. The ham on the bottom releases its salty, savory flavor into the sauce. The white cheddar, added in two stages, creates a creamy, tangy sauce: some melts into the broth during the first cook, while the final addition creates a gooey, cheesy topping.
The combination of chicken broth and cream of chicken soup creates a rich, savory base that is perfectly balanced—not too thin, not too thick. The egg noodles cook directly in the sauce, absorbing the flavors as they become tender.
This recipe is proof that you do not need a long list of ingredients or complicated techniques to make a delicious, satisfying meal. With five simple ingredients and a slow cooker, you can create a ham and noodle casserole that is creamy, cheesy, and deeply comforting. Perfect for using up leftover ham, busy weeknights, or any time you need a warm, no-fuss dinner.