There is something especially comforting about a slow cooker supper that asks for just a handful of humble ingredients and still comes out rich, hearty, and satisfying. This Amish-style cottage cheese ham pasta leans on the practical, thrifty cooking so many Midwestern home kitchens have always valued, turning ham steaks, cottage cheese, pasta sauce, noodles, and a little seasoning into a creamy, savory meal that feels like pure comfort at the end of a long day.
This dish is lovely served with buttered green beans, sweet peas, or a simple tossed salad with cucumbers and tomatoes for a little freshness alongside the rich pasta. A pan of warm dinner rolls or thick slices of crusty bread fits right in too, especially for catching every bit of the creamy tomato sauce left in the bowl.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Amish Cottage Cheese Ham Pasta
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 ham steaks, about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds total
2 cups cottage cheese
1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce
12 ounces uncooked egg noodles
1 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick spray or a little oil if desired for easier cleanup. Lay the ham steaks flat in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Spoon the cottage cheese evenly over the ham steaks, then pour the pasta sauce across the top and sprinkle with the black pepper.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, until the ham is heated through and tender. Lift the ham out to a cutting board, cut it into bite-size strips or chunks, and return it to the cooker.
4. Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles on the stovetop according to the package directions just until tender. Drain them well.
5. Stir the drained noodles into the slow cooker with the chopped ham and sauce. Cover and cook on low for 15 to 20 minutes more, just until everything is hot and well combined. Serve warm.
Variations & Tips
Add a little onion: If you do not mind stepping beyond five ingredients, a thinly sliced onion layered under the ham adds a gentle sweetness that fits beautifully with the cottage cheese and tomato sauce.
Choose your pasta shape: Egg noodles give this dish that old-fashioned, cozy feel, but rotini, penne, or medium shells work nicely too. Just cook the pasta separately and stir it in near the end so it does not soak up too much liquid in the slow cooker.
Make it extra creamy: For a softer, smoother sauce, give the cottage cheese a quick stir or blend before spooning it over the ham. That helps it melt more evenly into the pasta sauce as it cooks.
Watch the salt: Ham and jarred pasta sauce can both bring plenty of salt to the table, so it is wise to season with black pepper first and taste before adding anything else.
Use leftover ham: This is also a fine way to use up leftover holiday ham. If the ham is already cooked and diced, shorten the slow cooker time and simply heat the sauce mixture first, then stir the ham in until warmed through.