Samantha Nicole 45-Minute Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ham is easy, cheesy, and delicious! This casserole is a no-fuss dish with macaroni noodles, savory ham, and crisp broccoli all covered in a rich cheese sauce — it’s a meal everyone will love. 45-Minute Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ham is rich, hearty, and ready in less than an hour. Weeknight dinners just got simpler and a whole lot more scrumptious!
Ingredients
For the main course:
- 12 ounces macaroni, uncooked
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 cup light cream
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 2 cups ham, cooked and cubed
For the topping:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2 –Cook the macaroni noodles according to package directions.
Step 3 –Add the broccoli to the pot with the noodles for the last 2 minutes, cooking until bright green and tender.
Step 4 –Drain and run the pasta and broccoli under cool water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Step 5 –In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Step 6 –Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the raw flour smell dissipates, about 2 minutes.
Step 7 –Very gradually add the cream, milk, mustard powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 8 –Continue to whisk over medium heat until the sauce has thickened.
Step 9 –Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheddar, Gruyere, and parmesan cheeses until fully melted.
Step 10 –Add the pasta, ham, and broccoli to the cheese mixture and toss until everything is well-coated in the sauce.
Step 11 –Pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch greased pan.
Step 12 –Combine the breadcrumbs, melted butter, and 1/3 cup of the parmesan cheese in a bowl and sprinkle it over the top of the macaroni.
Step 13 –Bake until the sauce begins to bubble, about 20-25 minutes.
Step 14 –Serve!
