Creamy Ham and Broccoli Pasta Bake

This Ham and Broccoli Pasta Bake is a hearty, comforting casserole packed with savory ham, tender broccoli, and plenty of gooey cheese. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that uses leftover ham and comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy nights or when you want a satisfying homemade meal.

I love sharing simple pasta dinners that deliver comfort and flavor without a lot of fuss. This casserole is one of those recipes that gets eaten fast—kids and adults alike tend to ask for seconds. It’s a great way to turn leftover ham from a holiday or roast into an appealing, family-friendly meal.

If you have ham left over from a holiday meal or roast, simply cube it and add it to this bake along with frozen broccoli. The combination of ham, pasta, and cheese tends to be a winner at the table. If you’d rather use the ham in another dish, it can easily be repurposed in breakfast bakes or pasta salads, but this casserole is a top choice for dinner.

Even picky eaters often enjoy this dish—its creamy sauce and melted cheese cover the broccoli and blend with the ham to make a comforting, familiar flavor. In our house one child pretends not to like ham but loves bacon; this casserole usually tricks him into enjoying the ham tucked into cheesy pasta.

This bake takes about 40–45 minutes from start to finish. To save time on busy evenings, prep some components ahead:

• Cook the pasta earlier and toss with a little olive oil so it doesn’t stick.
• Chop the onion and ham and store them in separate containers in the fridge.
• Crush the crackers or breadcrumbs and keep them in a bag for topping.

With the prep done, assembly is quick: combine the ham and broccoli with a simple cheese sauce, mix in the pasta, top with extra cheese and crumbs, and bake until bubbly and golden.

How to make Ham and Broccoli Pasta Bake:

Start by sautéing the chopped onion in olive oil until soft. Add minced garlic and cubed leftover ham and warm through. Quickly run frozen broccoli under hot water to thaw slightly, drain well, and add to the ham mixture.

In a separate saucepan melt butter, whisk in flour and cook briefly to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until the sauce thickens a bit. Stir in grated Parmesan and most of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella until smooth and creamy.

Combine the cooked pasta with the ham and broccoli, season with salt and pepper, and toss with the cheese sauce. Spoon everything into a prepared casserole dish, sprinkle the remaining cheeses over the top, add crushed butter crackers or breadcrumbs for texture, and bake until the top is melted and lightly browned, about 20–25 minutes.

More easy pasta dinners you may enjoy

If you like this ham and broccoli bake, other simple pasta casseroles that combine meat, vegetables, and cheese make weeknight cooking easier—think skillet tortellini with bacon, stuffed shells with sausage and creamy sauce, or chicken lasagna rolls with broccoli and cheddar. These kinds of one-dish pastas are great for busy families who want comfort and convenience.

Recipe

Ham and Broccoli Pasta Bake

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

A comforting casserole of pasta, ham, broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce, finished with buttery cracker crumbs for texture.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces pasta (small or medium shells)
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 cups cubed cooked ham
• 1 cup frozen broccoli
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 3 Tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ¾ cup crushed butter cracker crumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8- or 9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. Sauté onion in olive oil for 2–3 minutes. Add garlic and ham and cook 2 more minutes.
4. Run frozen broccoli under hot water for a minute to thaw slightly. Drain and add to the ham mixture; set aside.
5. Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour and cook 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly.
6. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Stir in Parmesan, ¾ cup cheddar, and ¾ cup mozzarella until melted and creamy.
8. Add the ham and broccoli mixture and the cooked pasta to the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining cheeses on top and finish with crushed cracker crumbs. Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
10. Serve hot. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a few days.

Nutrition Information (per serving):

Calories: ~373 • Total Fat: 20g • Protein: 24g • Carbohydrates: 24g • Sodium: ~935mg

*This post was originally published in April 2014 and updated with refreshed photos and notes. Tested tips in the text help speed up prep for busy nights.

**Some product mentions in the original recipe referred to items used in the kitchen. No purchase is required to prepare this dish.