Spam Pasta Casserole
Dive into comfort food heaven with this irresistibly creamy Spam Pasta Casserole, a quick and hearty dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Featuring tender penne pasta and golden, crispy Spam cubes smothered in a rich, homemade cheddar-Parmesan cheese sauce, this crowd-pleasing casserole is topped with a crunchy layer of buttery panko breadcrumbs for the ultimate texture contrast. Seasoned with garlic, onion powder, and a hint of Italian herbs, every bite bursts with savory flavor. Ready in just 45 minutes and ideal for feeding the family, this easy, oven-baked dish will have everyone coming back for seconds. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a bright, herby garnish.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 12 oz Spam (original or flavored)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese
- 0.75 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, cut the Spam into small cubes.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the Spam cubes until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly to make a roux.
Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to combine. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low.
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Add the cooked pasta and browned Spam to the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
Pour the pasta and Spam mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out in an even layer.
In a small bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs and olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
618 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 40.3 g | 52% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.0 g | 100% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 107 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 1404 mg | 61% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 37.9 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.7 g | ||
| Protein | 27.2 g | 54% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 460 mg | 35% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 259 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
