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Smoked Ham and Broccoli Pasta Casserole

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This comforting pasta casserole combines tender pasta, sautéed onion, broccoli, and smoky ham in a creamy cheese sauce, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 12 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, shells) Swap for gluten-free pasta if needed.
  • 2 cups broccoli florets Fresh or thawed frozen.
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
Meat
  • 2 cups cooked smoked ham, diced (about 10–12 oz)
Cheese Sauce
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour Use gluten-free blend for GF version.
  • 2 1/2 cups milk (whole or 2%); for richer sauce, use 1 cup half-and-half + 1 1/2 cups milk.
  • 1 1/2–2 cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar + Gruyère or Monterey Jack work well)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh, chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp dried marjoram (or substitute 1/4 tsp oregano)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Topping
  • 1/2 cup panko or seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tbsp melted butter (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta 1–2 minutes less than package directions; drain and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, blanch broccoli in boiling water 1–2 minutes until bright green, then plunge into ice water. Drain and set aside.
Cooking
  1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  2. Stir in diced ham and cook 1–2 minutes to warm and brown edges slightly.
  3. Make the sauce: push the ham and onions to the side, add the flour to the butter in the skillet and whisk to form a paste. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens, 3–5 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat. Stir in 1–1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese, thyme, marjoram, and season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Assembly
  1. Combine pasta, broccoli, and sauce in the skillet or a large bowl. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
  2. Sprinkle remaining cheese and optional breadcrumb topping evenly over the casserole.
Baking
  1. Bake for 20–25 minutes until sauce is bubbly and top is golden. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving to set.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2g

Notes

Serve with a lemony green salad, steamed green beans, or warm crusty bread for a complete meal. Casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for 3–4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
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