Creamy Ham and Broccoli Bake: A Comfort Food Classic

Craving a comforting, cheesy, and satisfying meal? Look no further than this delicious ham and broccoli bake! It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that’s easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe combines tender broccoli florets, savory ham, and a creamy, cheesy sauce, all baked to golden perfection. Whether you’re looking for a quick family meal or a dish to bring to a potluck, this ham and broccoli bake is sure to be a hit.

This recipe is incredibly versatile and customizable. You can easily adapt it to your family’s preferences by adding different cheeses, vegetables, or spices. It’s also a great way to use up leftover ham from a holiday dinner. Let’s dive in and discover how to make this comforting classic!

Why You’ll Love This Ham and Broccoli Bake

* **Comforting and Delicious:** The creamy, cheesy sauce combined with the tender broccoli and savory ham creates a truly comforting and satisfying meal.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe requires minimal prep time and is simple enough for even beginner cooks.
* **Versatile and Customizable:** You can easily adapt the recipe to your liking by adding different ingredients or adjusting the seasonings.
* **Great for Leftovers:** This bake is just as delicious the next day, making it perfect for meal prepping or enjoying a quick lunch.
* **Kid-Friendly:** Even picky eaters will enjoy this cheesy and flavorful dish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Broccoli:** Fresh broccoli florets are preferred, but frozen broccoli can also be used (thawed and drained). Approximately 1.5-2 pounds of fresh broccoli.
* **Ham:** Cooked ham, diced or cubed. Use leftover ham from a holiday dinner or purchase pre-cooked ham from the deli. About 1.5-2 cups.
* **Butter:** Unsalted butter, for making the roux and greasing the baking dish. About 1/4 cup (2 ounces).
* **Flour:** All-purpose flour, for thickening the sauce. 1/4 cup.
* **Milk:** Whole milk is recommended for a richer sauce, but 2% milk can also be used. 2 cups.
* **Chicken Broth:** Adds depth of flavor to the sauce. 1/2 cup.
* **Cheese:** Cheddar cheese, shredded. Use a sharp or mild cheddar depending on your preference. Monterey Jack, Gruyere or a blend of cheeses are all good alternatives or additions. 2 cups, divided.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** Grated Parmesan cheese, for topping the bake. About 1/4 cup.
* **Onion:** Yellow or white onion, diced. Adds flavor to the sauce base. 1/2 medium onion.
* **Garlic:** Minced garlic, for added flavor. 2 cloves.
* **Dijon Mustard:** Adds a subtle tang to the sauce. 1 teaspoon.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.
* **Optional additions:** Bread crumbs (panko or regular), nutmeg, hot sauce, other vegetables like cauliflower or mushrooms

Equipment You’ll Need

* **9×13 inch Baking Dish:** A standard size baking dish is perfect for this recipe.
* **Large Pot or Dutch Oven:** For cooking the broccoli.
* **Medium Saucepan:** For making the cheese sauce.
* **Whisk:** For smoothing out the sauce.
* **Knife and Cutting Board:** For chopping the vegetables and ham.
* **Grater:** For shredding the cheese.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a detailed guide on how to make this comforting ham and broccoli bake:

Step 1: Prepare the Broccoli

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. **Cook the Broccoli:** Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until tender-crisp. You want the broccoli to be slightly softened but not mushy. You can also steam the broccoli if you prefer. Alternatively, you can roast the broccoli: Toss broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on a baking sheet at 400F for 15-20 minutes.
3. **Drain the Broccoli:** Drain the broccoli well and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce

1. **Sauté Onion and Garlic:** In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. **Make a Roux:** Add the flour to the saucepan and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes, until the flour is cooked and the mixture forms a smooth paste (a roux). This helps to thicken the sauce.
3. **Gradually Add Liquid:** Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, a little at a time, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken.
4. **Simmer the Sauce:** Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
5. **Add Cheese and Seasonings:** Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and the Dijon mustard. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg for extra flavor, if desired.

Step 3: Assemble the Bake

1. **Combine Ingredients:** In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked broccoli, diced ham, and cheese sauce. Gently toss to ensure the broccoli and ham are evenly coated in the sauce.
2. **Top with Cheese and Parmesan:** Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the bake.
3. **Add Bread Crumbs (Optional):** If desired, sprinkle bread crumbs over the top of the cheese for a crispy topping. You can use panko bread crumbs for extra crunch or regular bread crumbs.

Step 4: Bake

1. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
2. **Let Rest:** Remove the bake from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips for Success

* **Don’t Overcook the Broccoli:** Overcooked broccoli will become mushy and lose its flavor. Aim for tender-crisp broccoli.
* **Use Good Quality Cheese:** The quality of the cheese will significantly impact the flavor of the bake. Use good quality cheddar cheese for the best results. Pre-shredded cheese often contains cellulose which can impact melting, so shredding your own cheese is best.
* **Adjust the Seasonings:** Taste the cheese sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or Dijon mustard to suit your taste.
* **Prevent a Lumpy Sauce:** When making the cheese sauce, gradually add the milk and chicken broth to the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
* **Make Ahead:** You can assemble the ham and broccoli bake ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add the bread crumbs just before baking to prevent them from getting soggy. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
* **Don’t have Chicken Broth?:** You can omit it, or substitute vegetable broth or additional milk. Using broth adds more depth to the flavor.

Variations and Substitutions

* **Add Different Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to the bake, such as cauliflower, mushrooms, or peas.
* **Use Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different cheeses, such as Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or Swiss cheese. A blend of cheeses can also be used for a more complex flavor.
* **Add a Spicy Kick:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for a spicy kick.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free flour to make the roux for a gluten-free version of this bake.
* **Use Turkey Instead of Ham:** You can substitute diced cooked turkey for the ham in this recipe.
* **Add a Topping:** In addition to bread crumbs, you can add a crispy fried onion topping for extra flavor and texture.
* **Low Carb Option:** Substitute the roux and milk-based sauce with a cream cheese and heavy cream sauce for a lower-carb option. Cauliflower rice can be added for bulk.

Serving Suggestions

This ham and broccoli bake is delicious on its own, but it can also be served as a side dish with:

* Roasted chicken or pork
* Grilled steak or fish
* A simple salad
* Mashed potatoes
* Garlic bread

Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerator:** Store leftover ham and broccoli bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
* **Freezer:** While not ideal, you can freeze the bake. The texture of the sauce may change slightly upon thawing. Wrap the bake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 450-550 per serving (depending on ingredients and portion size)
* Fat: 30-40g
* Protein: 25-35g
* Carbohydrates: 15-25g

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used.*

Ham and Broccoli Bake Recipe Card

**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 30 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1.5-2 pounds fresh broccoli florets
* 1.5-2 cups cooked ham, diced
* 1/4 cup (2 ounces) unsalted butter
* 1/2 medium yellow or white onion, diced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 cups whole milk
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional: Bread crumbs (panko or regular), nutmeg, hot sauce

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Cook broccoli in boiling salted water for 5-7 minutes, until tender-crisp. Drain well.
3. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
5. Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
6. Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
7. In the baking dish, combine broccoli, ham, and cheese sauce. Toss gently.
8. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese.
9. Optional: Top with bread crumbs.
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
11. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy this comforting and delicious Ham and Broccoli Bake!