This comforting ham and noodle casserole is just right for guests or family dinners.

The recipe, which was published in our March 2001 issue, comes from the kitchen of Laurabell J.

Does it get much better than that?

Southern Living Ham and Noodle Casserole

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

it’s possible for you to also wrap the casseroles with foil, and freeze up to one month.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, if frozen, before baking at 400F for 35 to 40 minutes.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen.

Southern Living Ham and Noodle Casserole ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It comes complete with pasta, veggies, and protein for a filling one-dish meal.

can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1(8-oz.)

container chive-and-onion-flavored cream cheese, softened

2/3cupmilk

2cupschopped baked ham

1 1/2cupsfresh broccoli florets

1(10-oz.)

Southern Living Ham and Noodle Casserole cooking and draining the pasta

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

package frozen asparagus, thawed

6baby carrots, chopped

1(8-oz.)

package shredded mozzarella cheese

1(4-oz.)

Stir in pasta, ham, and next 3 ingredients.

Southern Living Ham and Noodle Casserole stirring in the rest of the casserole ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Spoon half of ham mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

Add cheeses to casseroles:

Combine cheeses.

Sprinkle half of cheese mixture over casserole.

Southern Living Ham and Noodle Casserole adding the casserole mixture to the baking dish

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Spoon remaining ham mixture over cheeses.

Add cheese-crouton mixture:

Combine remaining cheese mixture with croutons.

Bake casserole:

Bake casserole at 400F for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

Southern Living Ham and Noodle Casserole adding the cheese to the casserole

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Feel free to use any pasta shape you prefer, including rotini, penne, or fusilli.

check that the asparagus is thawed completely before using.

Southern Living Ham and Noodle Casserole adding the rest of the noodle mixture to the dish

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ham and Noodle Casserole with the rest of the topping added

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ham and Noodle Casserole after baking

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox