Savory Ham Cheesecake

Total Time

Prep: 35 min. Bake: 1 hour + chilling

Makes

24-30 servings

Updated: Sep. 30, 2022
My mom was the best cook—everything she made was special. She served this elegant cheesecake on Sunday following a Saturday ham dinner. Now my family loves it, too!—Shannon Soper, West Bend, Wisconsin

Ingredients

  • 3 cups oyster crackers, crushed
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • FILLING:
  • 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups finely chopped fully cooked ham
  • 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1/3 cup minced chives
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • Assorted crackers

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Set aside 1/4 cup for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined (mixture will be thick). Add the ham, Swiss cheese, chives, basil, salt and pepper; beat just until combined. Pour into crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
  3. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 60-70 minutes or until filling is almost set. Turn oven off. Leave cheesecake in oven with door ajar for 30 minutes.
  4. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan. Serve chilled or at room temperature with crackers.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 128 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 317mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein.