Leftover Ham and Cheese Broccoli Casserole Recipe (2024)

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If you have leftover ham from your holiday dinner then this casserole is for you! Delicious noodles topped with cheese sauce, ham, broccoli, and crispy bread crumbs, this dish will be a family favorite!

If you love cooking casseroles for your family then you MUST TRY this chicken casserole, this corn casserole, and this amazingly delicious breakfast casserole!

Leftover Ham and Cheese Broccoli Casserole Recipe (1)

Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Casserole

In my opinion, there isn’t anything much better than when I can use my leftovers to make another delicious meal. Maybe even a meal better than the first! I usually cook up some ham on Christmas (I might make this apricot glazed ham this year instead). But the thing is, those meals make SO much ham that I always have a lot leftover.

That’s where this dish comes in! It is so good that it doesn’t even taste like leftovers and it uses up all of my extra food from the night before. I’d say that’s a win-win. This casserole has it all. Noodles, sauce, veggies, and ham. So, if you just wanted to cook up some quick rolls to go with this then you will be all set! Easy, delicious, and a meal that my entire family can agree on… Have I convinced you to try it yet??

Ingredients You Need to Make Leftover Ham Casserole

Ok, so I know that the title says “leftover” ham but you can totally just go out and buy some ham to use! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the exact measurements.

  • Rotini noodles: If you don’t have these noodles then you can try large elbow noodles or bowtie pasta instead.
  • Butter: I used unsalted butter in this recipe.
  • Flour: All purpoe flour works great!
  • Salt and Pepper: This is used to season the dish and enhance all of the other flavors.
  • Chicken broth: Using chicken broth adds in some additional flavor.
  • Heavy cream: This creates the creaminess that makes the sauce taste so good!
  • Sharp cheddar: If you shred this from a block (instead of getting it pre-packaged at the store) then it will melt better in the sauce.
  • Ham: I chop up my leftover ham but you can use whatever ham that you have at your house.
  • Broccoli: Steam up your broccoli and chop it up before you put it into the casserole.
  • Bread crumbs: These are mixed with the butter and put on top to give it that crispy texture when it’s done cooking.
  • Parmesan cheese: This goes on top!

Let’s Make a Casserole!

This cheesy, leftover ham and broccoli casserole is going to knock your socks off when you taste it! Oh, and did I mention that it is super quick and easy to make? Go ahead and try it!

  1. Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Make the sauce: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 inch pan with a non stick cooking spray. In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour, salt, and pepper to create a roux. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and then the heavy cream and whisk until it starts to thicken. Add in the cheddar and continue to whisk until melted.
  3. Combine into baking dish: In a large bowl combing the ham, broccoli, pasta, and cheese sauce. Spread into your 9×13 inch baking dish.
  4. Melt and combine: In a small bowl combine melted butter, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese.
  5. Sprinkle on top of casserole: Top with the topping and bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.
Leftover Ham and Cheese Broccoli Casserole Recipe (2)

Tips for Baking a Casserole

I love a good casserole and I want this leftover ham casserole to turn out perfectly for you. Here are a few tips that I think will help you out.

  • Small pieces of ham: Make sure that when you cut up your ham that it’s in bite sized pieces. It mixes better and is easier to eat!
  • Breadcrumbs: You can use any kinds of breadcrumbs. I usually just use traditional breadcrumbs but you can use panko or even seasoned breadcrumbs if you like that flavoring!
  • Pasta: You can use whatever pasta that you have on hand. Roniti, penne, bowtie, etc. If you want to make this dish a bit healthier then use some whole wheat pasta instead.
Leftover Ham and Cheese Broccoli Casserole Recipe (3)

How to Store Leftovers

Storing leftovers of leftovers sounds crazy! But this leftover cheesy ham and broccoli casserole is delicious the next day! You can even make it ahead of time so that you can bake it up nice and fresh when you need it!

  • Making ahead:This can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Then, follow the baking instructions that you can find on the recipe card.
  • Freezer:If you want to freeze this to make later then it’s best to freezeit before you bake it. Cover the pan tightly with foil and write down the directions on top of the container (along with the date). Remove the casserole from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator during the day before baking.This will freeze for 1 month.
  • Reheat it:Because of the cheesy sauce in this casserole, it reheats really well and won’t dry out. To reheat leftovers, heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bakes for 20-25 minutes or until it is warmed throughout. You do not want to over bake.
Leftover Ham and Cheese Broccoli Casserole Recipe (4)

More Hame Recipes to Try

If you want to try out some more recipes with ham, then you have come to the right place! I have rounded up some of my favorite ham recipes that will work for any occasion. Ham is something that my whole family loves to eat so these are always a huge hit!

Soup

Ham and Potato Cheddar Soup

30 mins

Dinner

Spiced Rub Brown Sugar Pineapple Glazed Ham

Dinner

Easy Ham and Swiss Stromboli

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Leftover Ham and Cheese Broccoli Casserole Recipe (9)

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Leftover Ham and Cheese Broccoli Casserole

By: Alyssa Rivers

If you have leftover ham from your holiday dinner then this cheesy ham casserole is for you! Delicious noodles topped with cheese sauce, ham, broccoli, and crispy bread crumbs, this dish will be a family favorite!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 people

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces rotini noodles
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
  • 2 cups ham chopped
  • 2 cups steamed broccoli chopped

Topping:

Instructions

  • Boil the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 inch pan with a non-stick cooking spray. In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour, salt, and pepper to create a roux. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and then the heavy cream and whisk until it starts to thicken. Add in the cheddar and continue to whisk until melted.

  • In a large bowl combine the ham, broccoli, pasta, and cheese sauce. Spread into your 9×13 inch baking dish.

To make the topping:

  • In a small bowl combine melted butter, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese.

  • Top with the topping and bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition

Serving: 8peopleCalories: 582kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 17gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 917mgPotassium: 293mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1180IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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Leftover Ham and Cheese Broccoli Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long is broccoli casserole good for in the fridge? ›

Allow the leftover broccoli casserole to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Does broccoli and cheese casserole freeze well? ›

To freeze slices of cooked casserole: Wrap individual slices of broccoli cheddar casserole in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes, or until completely heated through.

What is in casserole dish? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

Can you reheat broccoli and rice casserole? ›

If you've made this casserole ahead of time and refrigerated it, allow for an additional 5 minutes of cooking. Leftovers if any can be reheated in the microwave for several minutes on high, or in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Can I eat cooked broccoli after 5 days? ›

Both raw and cooked broccoli will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. Blanched broccoli will last between 10 and 12 months in the freezer.

Why is my broccoli casserole watery? ›

You might not realise it, but those perfectly ripe, bursting-with-moisture-veggies that you're tossing into your casserole are most likely the culprits when it comes to a watery bake, which is why it's important to heed the recipe when it comes to prepping your vegetables and cooling your finished product.

Is it better to use fresh or frozen broccoli for casserole? ›

Fresh vegetables contain less water

Frozen vegetables release moisture as they cook and when they're used in a casserole that moisture has nowhere to go but into your dish. If you want your casserole to have the best texture, it's best to use fresh vegetables.

Should you cook broccoli casserole before freezing? ›

To freeze a broccoli bake, first, wait until it cools completely. Freezing warm casserole will make it watery and mushy. Once it's cold, simply freeze it in your casserole dish. It's best to have a dish that is both freezer-proof and oven-proof.

Is it better to freeze casseroles cooked or uncooked? ›

The answer depends on what's in it. Casseroles with raw protein (meat, poultry, seafood) should be completely cooked before freezing. However dishes with pre-cooked meats or no meat are fine to go in the freezer uncooked.

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

What are 5 components of a casserole? ›

Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

How long to reheat broccoli cheese casserole? ›

I would set the oven to 300 with the leftover casserole in the oven, don't preheat if you are taking it straight from the fridge, put a little water in the bottom and cover it with either foil, or the lid that goes with the dish and in about 20 to 30 minutes it should be heated through.

How long to reheat broccoli casserole in oven? ›

Room Temperature Casserole.

Put it into a cold or hot, 350°F oven, and reheat. It takes 20-30 minutes to reheat. Heat to an internal temperature 165°F. Use an instant read thermometer to check the degrees F.

What temperature do you reheat broccoli casserole? ›

If you baked your casserole ahead of time, simply cover the dish with foil and reheat at 350˚F until heated through.

How long does homemade casserole last in the fridge? ›

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth.

How long can you keep homemade casserole in the fridge? ›

The answer varies depending on the type of food you are storing, but generally speaking, most cooked food will last for up to four days in the refrigerator. This includes dishes such as leftovers from a roast dinner, or stews and casseroles, and even reheated food like rotisserie chicken.

Can I eat cooked broccoli after 3 days? ›

Fresh broccoli is best if used within a day or two after being purchased. It will keep for up to four days in the refrigerator. Once cooked, any leftovers may be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days in a tightly covered container.

How long can a premade casserole stay in the fridge? ›

According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that. Some foods should be even be thrown away before the 7 day mark.

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