Mix canned deviled ham and these 2 ingredients over uncooked elbow macaroni into a baking dish for a comforting meal people always return to

This oven-baked 4-ingredient Amish-style deviled ham macaroni is the kind of simple, comforting casserole that feels right at home on a busy weeknight or a church potluck table. It leans on canned deviled ham and just two more pantry staples to create a creamy, savory sauce that bakes right over uncooked elbow macaroni. No boiling pasta, no fussy steps—just mix everything together in a baking dish and slide it into the oven. It has that humble, old-fashioned charm you find in many Amish-inspired recipes: practical, budget-friendly, and the kind of dish people go back for seconds of without thinking twice.

Serve this deviled ham macaroni hot from the oven with a simple green side to balance the richness—think a tossed salad with a light vinaigrette or steamed green beans with a squeeze of lemon. A basket of warm dinner rolls or buttered toast soldiers is great for scooping up the creamy sauce from the corners of the dish. For family nights, I like to add a side of applesauce or sliced fresh fruit to keep plates colorful and kid-friendly. If you’re feeding a crowd, pair it with a big bowl of coleslaw and a tray of roasted vegetables to round out the meal.

Servings: 6

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (about 8 ounces)

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a thin swipe of butter.

Pour the uncooked elbow macaroni evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into a single layer. This is your base—no need to boil the pasta first.

In a medium mixing bowl, add the canned deviled ham and break it up with a fork so it’s loose and spreadable. Add the milk and whisk or stir until the deviled ham is well blended into the liquid. It won’t be perfectly smooth, but you want the ham distributed throughout the milk.

Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese into the deviled ham and milk mixture, reserving the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese for the top. Mix until the cheese is evenly combined. This creates the creamy sauce that will bake right into the macaroni.

Carefully pour the deviled ham, milk, and cheese mixture evenly over the uncooked elbow macaroni in the baking dish. Use a spoon or your hands to gently stir and fold the mixture right in the dish so that every piece of macaroni is coated. This is the hands-on moment where you’re literally mixing canned deviled ham and the other two ingredients over the dry pasta.

Once everything is well mixed and the macaroni looks evenly moistened, spread it back into an even layer in the dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps the macaroni cook through by trapping steam while the sauce thickens.

Bake, covered, in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender when you pierce it with a fork and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.

Carefully remove the foil (watch for steam), then return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Let the casserole rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving. This short rest helps the sauce thicken slightly so it scoops more neatly. Serve warm, straight from the baking dish.

For picky eaters, you can cut the deviled ham down to 1 1/2 cans and add an extra 1/2 cup of milk for a milder flavor, or mix in a little extra cheese to soften the savory notes. If your family likes a bit of crunch, sprinkle 1/2 cup of buttered breadcrumbs or crushed plain crackers over the top along with the last bit of cheese before the final 10–15 minutes of baking. To sneak in some veggies, stir in 1–1 1/2 cups of frozen peas or mixed vegetables right after you mix the sauce over the uncooked macaroni; they’ll cook through as the pasta bakes. For a slightly richer version, swap 1 cup of the milk for half-and-half, or add a small pinch of black pepper and a dash of paprika to the sauce for a gentle warmth without making it spicy. If you’re cooking ahead, assemble the dish up to the point of baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 8 hours; when baking from cold, add 5–10 extra minutes to the covered bake time and check the pasta for tenderness before uncovering. Leftovers reheat nicely with a splash of milk stirred in to loosen the sauce, and they make an easy next-day lunch tucked into a thermos for school or work.