This leftover ham casserole with broccoli and cheese combines all my favorite flavors in a creamy pasta with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Tender pieces of ham are tossed with broccoli, pasta, and an easy-from-scratch cheese sauce to make this perfect quick dinner. It's even simpler to prepare when you use leftover ham.
You'll love my leftover ham recipes, like ham chowder, ham ramen, and ham stroganoff.
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This will surely be a new favorite if you love baked mac and cheese like I do. It's also one of my top family favorite casseroles, like my tuna noodle casserole and chicken divan casserole, for easy weeknight dinners.
Ham and cheese aren't the only flavors here that belong together. The broccoli is the third part of my trifecta of the perfect ham dish. These classic flavors combine under a crunchy, buttery breadcrumb topping to make the ideal casserole.
🥘 Ingredients
- Ziti - Any variety of uncooked, short pasta will work, such as ziti or rigatoni.
- Butter - Butter will be used in the cheese sauce and the topping.
- Garlic - Minced or crushed garlic for flavor.
- Milk & Cream - The combination of milk and heavy cream is perfect for the rich cheese sauce.
- Seasonings - Some salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg.
- Cream Cheese - Cubed cream cheese will make the sauce extra rich.
- Cheese - Shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
- Broccoli - You can use fresh or frozen broccoli. If using fresh, add it to your boiling pasta water during the final two minutes of cooking. If using frozen, you'll want to thaw it first.
- Ham - You can use leftover ham or pick up some ham steaks or diced ham from the store.
- Breadcrumbs - Regular breadcrumbs add the right amount of crunchiness.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Ham Casserole with Broccoli and Cheese
This simple casserole is perfect for using up leftovers. You will need a 9x13 baking dish, a pot for the pasta, a saucepan, and a whisk.
This casserole will yield ten servings.
Prepare the Pasta
Step 1: Preheat. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4), place your oven rack in the center, and butter or spray your 9x13 baking dish, 2.5 qt casserole dish, or Dutch oven with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: Cook the pasta. Cook 16 ounces (454 grams) of ziti pasta according to the boxed directions, but remove the pasta 2 minutes earlier than the recommended cooking time (for an al dente texture).
Make Your Cheese Sauce
Step 3: Begin the sauce. While the pasta is cooking, bring a saucepan to medium heat and melt 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of butter. Add 1 tablespoon of garlic, 2 cups (473 milliliters) of milk, 1 cup (237 milliliters) of heavy cream, 4 ounces (113 grams) of cubed cream cheese, and seasoning: ½ teaspoon each of nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Melt. Bring the sauce base to medium heat and whisk to incorporate the cream cheese. Add 1½ cups (352 grams) each of grated cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted.
Assemble & Bake
Step 5: Combine. Once the pasta is cooked, drained, and rinsed under cold water, transfer it to the prepared baking dish. Add 12 ounces (340 grams) of broccoli (thawed if using frozen), 2 cups (300 grams) of chopped ham, and cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
Step 6: Make the topping. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of butter in a small microwave-safe dish. Add ½ cup (60 grams) of breadcrumbs to the dish and combine using a fork until crumbly. Spread the buttered breadcrumb over the combined pasta.
Step 7: Bake. Bake in the center of the oven at 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling around the sides.
Step 8: Serve. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Use fresh broccoli. If you use fresh broccoli in your casserole, add it to the boiling water with the pasta for the last two minutes of cooking time. Drain and rinse with the pasta, then transfer to your baking dish.
- Use frozen broccoli. If you use frozen broccoli, some come in steamable bags, which is great. Go ahead and set them as directed and cook in the microwave; otherwise, set frozen broccoli out and allow it to thaw.
- Ready-to-use ham. The meat section of your local grocery store typically has packaged cubed or diced ham, which makes assembling this dinner quick and easy.
- Add other veggies. Add your favorite vegetables, such as carrots, peas, green beans, or celery.
- Make a buttery topping. Melt two tablespoons of butter and mix with the breadcrumbs for a rich flavor enhancer.
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🥡 Storing & Reheating
Keep any leftovers stored in a sealed container for up to three days.
Reheating
Reheat small portions in the microwave or larger portions in the oven at 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) until hot and the topping is crispy again.
Make Ahead
You can prepare this casserole up to two days in advance. Assemble it as directed, but hold off on adding the breadcrumb topping until you are ready to bake it. Cover it with aluminum foil and keep it in the fridge.
Alternatively, you can assemble your casserole without the topping and freeze it for up to three months. Let it thaw in the fridge before baking.
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📖 Recipe Card
Leftover Ham Casserole with Broccoli and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti (uncooked pasta)
- 4 tablespoon butter (divided - 2 tablespoon sauce, 2 tablespoon topping)
- 1 tablespoon garlic (finely minced or crushed)
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4 oz cream cheese (cut into small cubes)
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (grated)
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella (grated)
- 12 oz broccoli
- 2 cups ham (chopped or cubed)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃) and butter or spray your 9 x 13 baking dish, 2.5 qt casserole dish, or Dutch oven with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook 16 oz ziti pasta according to the boxed directions, but remove the pasta 2 minutes earlier than the recommended cooking time (for an al dente texture).
- Make the sauce while cooking your pasta. Bring a saucepan to medium heat. Melt 4 tablespoon butter and add 1 tablespoon garlic, 2 cups milk, 1 cup heavy cream, seasoning (½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper), and cubed 4 oz cream cheese.
- Bring the sauce base to medium heat and whisk to incorporate the cream cheese. Add grated 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese and 1 ½ cups mozzarella. Stir until melted.
- Once the pasta is cooked and drained and rinsed under cold water, transfer into the prepared baking dish. Add 12 oz broccoli (thawed if using frozen), chopped 2 cups ham, and cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
- In a small microwave-safe dish, melt the remaining 2 tablespoon of butter. Add the ½ cup breadcrumbs to the dish and combine using a fork until crumbly in appearance. Spread buttered breadcrumb over combined pasta.
- Bake in the center of the oven at 350℉ (175℃) for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling around the sides. Remove from the oven and serve.
Patsy says
Can you freeze this?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, you can. The sauce is prone to separating when you reheat so it's best to let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Add some more milk or cream to adjust when reheating. Thanks for asking!