Ham Steak and Gnocchi Casserole with Cheese

Use leftover ham to make ham steak and gnocchi casserole. Topped with plenty of cheese, it’s a perfect weeknight casserole dinner.

Jump to Recipe

I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s worth saying again, I love gnocchi! It’s such a yummy, smooth little puff of potato and adds so much to a meal. I first had it in chicken and gnocchi soup, and haven’t looked back since then.

Over the last few years, I’ve made quite a few recipes using gnocchi in a variety of ways. They can be boiled, fried, sauteed, and baked. The versatility makes it fun to work with. This time, I decided to use them in a casserole with some ham steak and, of course, lots of cheese.

Originally, I set out to make ham steak and gnocchi casserole a recipe for around Easter, but that didn’t pan out. You can either purchase a ham steak for this recipe or use leftover spiral ham.

What is a Ham Steak Casserole?

A ham steak casserole is a hearty baked dish that combines savory ham with comforting ingredients such as pasta, potatoes, or gnocchi, all held together with a creamy sauce and plenty of melted cheese. It’s an easy way to use leftover ham or a thick-cut ham steak, making it both budget-friendly and filling. Since everything bakes together in one dish, it’s a simple, family-friendly recipe that works well for weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients You Can Swap or Add

One of the best parts about a casserole is its flexibility. If you don’t have gnocchi on hand, you can substitute with cooked pasta, diced potatoes, or rice. For extra vegetables, try adding broccoli, peas, or green beans to balance the richness of the dish. You can also change up the cheese to match your taste—sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or even Swiss will all melt beautifully. For a creamier base, stir in sour cream or cream of mushroom soup.

Tips for Leftover Ham

This recipe is a great way to use leftover ham from a holiday meal. Simply dice the ham into bite-sized pieces and fold it into the casserole. Leftover ham steak reheats well without drying out, so you still get that juicy, smoky flavor in every bite. You can even freeze extra ham in small portions to pull out later for an easy weeknight casserole.

How to Make It Ahead of Time

Ham steak casserole can easily be prepared in advance. Assemble the dish up to the point of baking, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, simply uncover and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed. This make-ahead option is perfect for busy schedules or when hosting guests.

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers should be cooled completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place a serving in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or use the microwave for a quicker option. If the casserole seems a little dry, add a splash of milk or cream before reheating to bring back the creamy texture.

What to Serve with Ham Steak Casserole

This cheesy, filling casserole pairs well with lighter side dishes. A crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed asparagus all make excellent companions. For a heartier meal, serve it with warm dinner rolls or garlic bread to soak up the creamy sauce.

Can You Freeze Ham Steak Casserole?

Yes, this casserole freezes well, making it a great option for meal prep. Bake the casserole, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake at 350°F until warmed through. Freezing in individual portions also makes it easy to grab a quick lunch or dinner.

Ham Steak and Gnocchi Casserole Ingredients

Potato Gnocchi

Potato gnocchi are often found in the pasta aisle at the grocery store. They are small puffs of potato that are very light and fluffy. 

Unsalted Butter

The best butter for this recipe is unsalted. The ham already is high in sodium, so it’s best to use unsalted butter. Of course, salted butter would work, but I would omit the added salt later in the dish if you do. 

Ham Steak

I love buying a ham steak and frying it up for an easy dinner. You can either purchase that or use leftover ham from another recipe.

All-Purpose Flour

The flour is mixed with a little bit of butter to make a roux. This is what helps to thicken the creamy sauce that will go over the casserole. 

Whole Milk

Whole milk works best for this as it has a higher fat content. That said, I have used almond milk before with great success. You could also substitute for heavy cream if needed. 

Salt and Pepper

Every meal needs a little bit of seasoning. If you are worried about the sodium content because of the ham, omit the salt here. But still add the pepper as it adds a lot of flavor to the gnocchi dish. 

Gruyère Cheese

The best way to get gruyere cheese is in a block and shred it yourself. It adds that cheesy goodness to the meal because it melts really well when it’s freshly shredded. 

​Parmesan Cheese

​Just like the gruyere cheese, you are best to purchase this in a block and shred it yourself. 

Green Onions

The easiest way to slice green onions is to use kitchen shears. I like to hold the whole bundle and cut in small increments until I have enough. 

Ham Steak and Gnocchi Casserole Step by Step

Ingredients

• 16 oz potato gnocchi
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
• 1 lb ham steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400F.

Cook the gnocchi according to the package directions, drain, and place in a large mixing bowl.

In a Dutch oven or large skillet, over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoon of butter then add the ham steak. Cook, stirring often, for about 10-12 minutes, until the ham starts to brown.

Transfer the ham to the bowl with the gnocchi.

Melt butter in the pan and whisk in the flour, stirring constantly, until it is light brown in color, about 1-2 minutes.

Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until it is smooth. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and add the salt and pepper.

Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the gruyere cheese and half of the parmesan cheese until melted. Pour the cheese sauce over the ham and gnocchi and add the green onions then gently fold to coat.

Transfer to a greased 9×13 casserole dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown. Serve warm.

Ham Steak and Gnocchi Casserole Leftovers

Storage: To save any leftover ham steak and gnocchi casserole, cover the casserole dish with either an included cover or foil. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Reheating: To reheat, place the entire pan in the oven (just don’t place a cold pan in a preheated oven) and heat at 350F for about 10 minutes, until warmed through.

Recipe

Ham Steak and Gnocchi Casserole with Cheese

Use leftover ham to make ham steak and gnocchi casserole. Topped with plenty of cheese, it's a perfect weeknight casserole dinner.

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Course:

Main Dish

Cuisine:

American

Keyword:

casserole

|

cheese

|

gnocchi

|

ham

|

ham steak

Dietary Needs:

Egg-Free

|

Nut-Free

Meat:

Pork

Servings: 6 cups

5 from 2 votes

Ingredients

• 16 oz gnocchi
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
• 1 lb ham steak (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups gruyere cheese (shredded)
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
• 1/4 cup green onions (sliced)

Recommended Equipment

• Mixing Bowls – Stainless Steel
• Dutch Oven
• Whisk – Nylon
• Casserole Dish

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400F
• Cook the gnocchi according to the package directions, drain and place in a large mixing bowl
• Melt 2 tbsp of butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat then add the ham steak
• Cook, stirring often, for about 10-12 minutes, until the ham starts to brown
• Transfer the ham to the bowl with the gnocchi
• Melt the remaining 3 tbsp of butter in the pan and whisk in the flour, stirring constantly, until it is light brown in color, about 1-2 minutes
• Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until it is smooth
• Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and add the salt and pepper
• Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the gruyere cheese and half of the parmesan cheese until melted
• Pour the cheese sauce over the ham and gnocchi and add the green onions then gently fold to coat
• Transfer to a greased 9×13 casserole dish and sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese
• Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown
• Serve warm

Click the buttons below to share and print this recipe

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Nutrition Facts

Ham Steak and Gnocchi Casserole with Cheese

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 583 Calories from Fat 288

% Daily Value*

Fat 32g49%

Saturated Fat 19g95%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 121mg40%

Sodium 1713mg71%

Potassium 417mg12%

Carbohydrates 35g12%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 37g74%

Vitamin A 948IU19%

Vitamin C 25mg30%

Calcium 661mg66%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Ham Steak and Gnocchi Casserole FAQs

Gnocchi Recipes

• Ham Steak and Gnocchi Casserole with Cheese
• Gnocchi with Spinach and Red Pepper Sauce
• Crispy Gnocchi with Tomato and Leek
• Toasted Gnocchi with Spinach
• Seafood Gnocchi Soup
• Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

Ham and Cheese

• Easy Hawaiian Sliders Recipe with Ham and Cheese
• Ham Steak and Gnocchi Casserole with Cheese
• Ham and Cheese Hot Pocket
• Ham and Cheese Omelet
• Christmas Sandwiches
• Baked Ham, Egg, and Cheese Quiches
• Baked Skillet Ham and Eggs

Ham Recipes

• Ham Steak and Gnocchi Casserole with Cheese
• Country Ham Hash Breakfast
• Easy Hawaiian Sliders Recipe with Ham and Cheese
• Baked Skillet Ham and Eggs
• Christmas Sandwiches
• 15 Bean Ham Bone Soup
• Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Homemade Kolaches: A Texas Tradition
• Ham and Cheese Hot Pocket
• Ham and Cheese Omelet
• Baked Ham, Egg, and Cheese Quiches

Breakfast Casserole

• Healthy Breakfast Hash
• Berry Croissant Bake Breakfast Casserole
• Make-Ahead Pancake Casserole Breakfast
• Berry French Toast Casserole
• Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
• Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole
• Country Ham Hash Breakfast
• Ham Steak and Gnocchi Casserole with Cheese