Delicious Ham, Broccoli, And Cheese: Perfect Pairing Ideas

Ham, broccoli, and cheese are a classic combination, and there are many ways to bring them together. A popular option is a casserole, which can be made with pasta, rice, or eggs, and often includes a creamy sauce made with cheese, milk, or cream. This dish can be adapted to suit your taste, with options to add vegetables like carrots, celery, peas, or cauliflower, and toppings such as breadcrumbs, crackers, or fried onions. It's a versatile meal that can be made in advance and frozen, and it's a great way to use up leftover ham from a big feast.

Casserole with pasta

This is a simple, tasty and versatile dish that can be adapted to your liking. You can use fresh, frozen or leftover ham, broccoli and cheese. You can also add pasta and potatoes to the bake for some extra carbs.

Ingredients

• Ham
• Broccoli
• Cheese (cheddar is a popular choice)
• Pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, penne, bowtie, etc.)
• Butter
• Flour
• Salt and pepper
• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese

Optional Ingredients

• Eggs
• Milk
• Onion
• Red pepper
• Mushrooms
• Ritz crackers
• Rice

Method

• Boil pasta according to package directions.
• Steam or boil broccoli until tender.
• Chop ham into bite-sized pieces.
• Make a roux by melting butter and whisking in flour, salt and pepper.
• Slowly whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream until thickened.
• Add cheese and whisk until melted.
• Combine pasta, broccoli, ham and cheese sauce in a large bowl.
• Spread mixture into a greased baking dish.
• Combine melted butter, breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
• Sprinkle topping over the casserole.
• Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

Tips

• You can use any type of pasta you have on hand.
• If you want to make the dish healthier, use whole wheat pasta.
• Small pieces of ham mix better and are easier to eat.
• You can use any type of breadcrumbs.
• The casserole can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
• Leftovers can be frozen for up to one month.

Casserole with eggs

A casserole is a simple, tasty, and comforting dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients. Here is a recipe for a delicious ham, broccoli, and cheese casserole with eggs, along with some tips and variations.

Ingredients:

• Broccoli Florets (fresh or frozen)
• Ham (deli or leftover)
• Cheddar Cheese (grated)
• Butter (for greasing)
• Eggs
• Milk
• Salt and Pepper

Optional Ingredients:

You can also add some potatoes, pasta, or rice to the casserole for some extra carbs. Just make sure they are cooked before adding them to the dish. Other optional ingredients include:

• Onion
• Carrots
• Celery
• Peas
• Green Beans
• Other types of cheese such as mozzarella or smoked gouda

Instructions:

• Butter an oven-proof dish.
• Add the broccoli florets to a pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until the broccoli is slightly tender, then drain the water and add the broccoli to the buttered dish.
• Cut the ham into cubes and add them to the broccoli.
• Top with the grated cheese.
• In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and add milk, salt, and pepper. You can use around 5 medium eggs and adjust the amount of milk to your preference.
• Pour the egg mixture over the broccoli and ham.
• Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until the egg is cooked and the cheese is melted.

Tips:

• This casserole is a great way to use up leftover ham from a holiday dinner.
• When using frozen broccoli, make sure to get rid of any excess water after cooking to avoid a watery casserole.
• You can make this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it before baking.
• If you want a crisp topping, combine melted butter with breadcrumbs and/or crushed Ritz crackers, and sprinkle it on top of the casserole before baking.

Casserole with rice

A rice-based casserole is a great way to use up leftover ham and broccoli. This dish is easy to make and can be customised with a variety of different ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a ham, broccoli, and rice casserole.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients:

• Butter
• Onion
• Chicken broth/stock
• Long-grain white rice
• Ham
• Broccoli
• Cream of chicken/mushroom soup
• Sour cream
• Cheddar cheese
• Ritz crackers (optional)

Method

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add diced onions and cook until softened.
• Add chicken broth, olive oil, and rice to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
• Cover and cook for 8 minutes.
• Add broccoli and cook for an additional 7 minutes. Do not stir.
• Remove from heat and let the rice sit for 10 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, mix diced ham, condensed soup, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese.
• Stir until well combined.
• Spread the mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13 casserole dish.
• Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
• Cover and bake for 15 minutes.
• For an optional crispy topping, combine crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and spread over the casserole.
• Bake, uncovered, for an additional 10-15 minutes.
• Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Customisations

This casserole can be customised in a variety of ways:

• Use different types of rice such as brown or wild rice.
• Add additional vegetables such as carrots, celery, peas, or green beans.
• Experiment with different types of cheese such as cheddar jack, mozzarella, or smoked gouda.
• For a gluten-free option, omit the Ritz crackers or use a gluten-free alternative.

Casserole with potatoes

A casserole is a great way to use up leftover ham, and potatoes are a perfect addition to a ham and broccoli bake. Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates, which will help to make your meal more filling. They also go well with cheese, as the two have a natural affinity.

Ingredients

You will need:

• Ham
• Broccoli
• Potatoes
• Cheese
• Butter
• Eggs
• Milk
• Salt and pepper
• Onion/shallots/garlic (optional)

Method

First, parboil your potatoes. This means boiling them until they are partially cooked. Potatoes take a long time to cook, so this step ensures they will be ready at the same time as the rest of the ingredients. Next, steam or boil your broccoli until it is slightly tender. Drain the water and set aside.

Now, prepare your cheese sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan and add flour, salt, and pepper to create a roux. Whisk in milk, and then cream, and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens. Add in your cheese and keep whisking until it has melted. You can also add in garlic and onion/shallots at this stage for extra flavour.

Chop your ham into cubes and mix with the broccoli. Layer the potatoes, broccoli, and ham in a baking dish, and pour over the cheese sauce. Top with more cheese and bake in the oven for 20-40 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are cooked through.

Tips and Variations

• You can use any type of potato, but waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red-skinned potatoes tend to hold their shape better than starchy potatoes like Russets.
• You can also use leftover mashed potatoes in your casserole.
• Try adding some breadcrumbs to the top of your casserole for a crispy texture.
• For a lighter option, you can use low-fat butter, milk, and cheese.
• If you want to add some extra vegetables, try carrots, mushrooms, or cauliflower.
• You can also add some pasta to your bake, such as rotini or penne.
• This casserole can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it.
• Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Enjoy your tasty, cheesy ham, broccoli, and potato casserole!

Casserole with cauliflower

Ingredients

You can add cauliflower to the ham, broccoli, and cheese casserole by including the following ingredients:

• Cauliflower florets
• Full-fat cream cheese
• Sharp cheddar cheese

Preparation

Here's how you can prepare the cauliflower for the casserole:

• Chop and steam the cauliflower florets separately from the broccoli.
• Add the cooked cauliflower, cream cheese, and half of the cheddar cheese to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
• If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water.

Cooking

To cook the casserole, follow these steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Chop the ham into small bite-sized pieces and mix it with the cooked broccoli in a baking dish.
• Mix the cream sauce with the broccoli and ham in the baking dish.
• Top the mixture with the remaining cheddar cheese.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown on top.

Tips

• You can use frozen cauliflower, but make sure to drain off any excess liquid as it may make the casserole watery.
• You can also add some cauliflower rice, mushrooms, or experiment with different types of cheese.
• This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Frequently asked questions