This Easy Amish Macaroni Casserole is a comforting, family-style dish made with tender macaroni, your choice of chicken, ham, or beef, and green peas in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It's a classic Amish casserole recipe that's hearty, simple, and perfect for feeding a hungry family.
Dinner doesn't get much easier than this no-boil pasta casserole. Just mix everything together in the evening, refrigerate overnight, and bake it the next day for a warm, satisfying family dinner that's ideal for busy weeknights.
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Why You'll Love This Amish Macaroni Casserole
- No-Boil Pasta: The macaroni softens overnight in the creamy mixture, so there's no need to cook it first - and no extra pots to wash.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Mix it up the night before and bake the next day for an easy, stress-free dinner.
- Versatile Protein Options: Use chicken, ham, or beef depending on what you have on hand.
- Hearty and Comforting: A creamy, cheesy Amish casserole that fills everyone up.
Ingredients
- Cooked and seasoned meat (cooked and cut up chicken, cubed ham, or browned and crumbled ground beef): Provides the main protein element, adding flavor and substance to the casserole. Choose your preferred meat for a personalized touch.
- Milk: Creates a creamy and moist texture, binding the ingredients together while adding richness to the dish.
- Elbow Macaroni (uncooked): Serves as the base, contributing the classic pasta element and adding a satisfying texture to the casserole.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Forms a velvety and flavorful sauce, offering a comforting and savory undertone.
- Shredded cheese (or cubed Velveeta): Introduces a cheesy goodness that melts throughout the casserole, providing a gooey and creamy texture.
- Onion: Adds a savory and aromatic element.
- Green peas: Bring a pop of color, sweetness, and nutrition; making this dish a complete meal in one.
- Black pepper: Provides a subtle kick of heat, elevating the flavor of the pasta casserole.
These simple ingredients, when combined, create a hearty and flavorful Amish Country Casserole that is both comforting and delicious.
How to Make This No-Boil Macaroni Casserole
This overnight no-boil pasta casserole recipe is very easy to make.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and seasoned meat, milk, uncooked macaroni, cream of mushroom soup, shredded cheese or cubed Velveeta, chopped onion, green peas, and black pepper.
- Blend Well: Make sure that all the ingredients are well-mixed, coating the macaroni evenly with the creamy mixture.
- Transfer to Dish: Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13" baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Refrigerate: Cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate it overnight.
- Bake: Place the covered casserole in a cold oven. Set the temperature to 350°F and bake for about 60 minutes, or until heated through and the macaroni is tender.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving. Stir and scoop out generous portions. Enjoy this delicious comfort food with your family and friends!
This hearty, traditional Amish casserole is a family favorite. It's super easy to make, and a great option for a busy weeknight family dinner.
Amish Macaroni casserole with meat and veggies can easily be a complete meal in one dish. However, for more nutrition and veggie intake, consider adding a side lettuce salad or broccoli salad.
Variations
This Amish casserole is incredibly flexible. So feel free to customize this budget-friendly recipe to create a meal your family will love.
- Meat:
- Use ground beef to make an "Easy Beef Macaroni Casserole", cubed ham for an "Easy Ham Macaroni Casserole", or chicken to create a "Chicken Macaroni Casserole".
- You can easily use leftover chicken in this recipe. Leftover ham or cooked beef are also great options. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even switch it out for seafood.
- Pasta Variety:
- Experiment with a different type of pasta such as penne, rotini, or fusilli to give the casserole a unique look and texture.
- Cheese:
- Try this pasta casserole with different cheeses like cheddar cheese, Velveeta, American, or mozzarella for a varied flavor profile.
- Add a layer of Parmesan cheese on top before baking for a golden, cheesy crust.
- Vegetable:
- Substitute the peas for green beans, corn, or mixed vegetables. If onions are not your thing, simply leave them out.
- Soup:
- Feel free to use homemade cream of mushroom soup, or switch it up with cream of chicken soup, cream of celery, or cream of onion. If desired, you can even substitute the one can of cream soup with sour cream or heavy cream.
- Spice It Up:
- Enhance the flavor with spices like garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or fresh herbs for a more seasoned and aromatic dish.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne for a subtle kick.
- Crispy Topping:
- Sprinkle crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, or even potato chips on top for a crunchy texture. (If you desire a crunchy topping, I recommend adding it after the dish is partially baked. Bake the covered dish for 45 minutes, uncover, sprinkle the topping evenly over the dish, and continue baking until heated through and the topping is slightly browned.)
Feel free to mix and match these variations to create your own signature version of this Amish macaroni casserole! Make something your whole family will enjoy.
Amish Casseroles
Amish casseroles are simple, hearty meals made with pantry staples and farm-fresh ingredients. They're designed to feed a crowd and bring comfort to the table. These casseroles often feature farm-fresh ingredients, emphasizing the use of homegrown vegetables, locally raised meats, and dairy products.
The recipes are passed down through generations, preserving culinary traditions within the Amish culture. Common ingredients include noodles, ground meat, and vegetables, creating flavorful and satisfying one-dish meals that are easy to prepare and share.
Typically made in large quantities, casseroles are perfect for sharing at community gatherings, potlucks, etc.
Dairy Casserole, Yumasetti, Chickenetti, and Hamburger Stuffing Casserole, along with this Amish macaroni casserole, are some of our family favorites. AND if you love pasta dishes, but you don't wanna turn on the oven - try my stovetop macaroni and tomatoes recipe. It's another family favorite!
If you try this easy Amish pasta casserole recipe, I'd love it if you left a comment and star rating below. Thank you!
📖 Recipe Card
Easy Amish Macaroni Casserole Recipe (With Chicken, Ham, or Beef)
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and seasoned meat (cooked and cut up chicken, cubed ham, or browned and crumbled hamburger)
- 2 cups milk
- 2 (10.5 oz.) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups macaroni (uncooked)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (or cubed Velveeta)
- approx. ¼ cup onion (chopped)
- 1 cup green peas
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- The first step is to prepare the meat. If you opt for ground beef, you'll need to brown, drain, and season it to taste. Rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or leftover ham works great. Buying a slice or chunk of cooked ham is an easy option. Simply cut it into cubes and toss it in with the rest of the ingredients. We're looking for at least 2 cups of cooked and seasoned meat. Feel free to add extra if desired.2 cups cooked and seasoned meat (cooked and cut up chicken, cubed ham, or browned and crumbled hamburger)
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and seasoned meat, milk, cream of mushroom soup, uncooked macaroni, shredded cheese or cubed Velveeta, chopped onion, green peas, and black pepper.2 cups milk, 2 cups macaroni (uncooked), 2 (10.5 oz.) cans cream of mushroom soup , 2 cups shredded cheese (or cubed Velveeta), approx. ¼ cup onion (chopped), 1 cup green peas, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Blend well, making sure that all ingredients are well-mixed, coating the macaroni evenly with the creamy mixture.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13" baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate it overnight.
- Place the covered baking dish in the cold oven and bake at 350℉ for about an hour or until the casserole is heated through and the macaroni is tender.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving. Stir, scoop out generous portions, and enjoy!
- Cool, refrigerate, and reheat any leftovers.
ISABELLE SMJFH
love this recipe very good a keeper for sure love this so easy
Anna
Thank you for taking the time to leave a nice comment!
Mary
Can you use almond, oat or coconut milk for this recipe?
Anna
I have never tried it, but I'm sure you can use any milk. Obviously, depending on the flavor of the milk, it will alter the taste of your dish a bit. We have found that oat milk seems to have the mildest flavor in milk alternatives.
Kimberly
This sounds good! I think it could even be made gluten free for my husband. Thank you!
Anna
Yes, you could use gluten-free pasta and gluten free soups.