Ham and Broccoli Egg Casserole

In this blog post I will be sharing one of my favorite egg casseroles, broccoli and ham. It is simple to prepare and is sure to please your family and guests. 

We love eggs and eat a lot of them in our home. Eggs are a wonderful source of protein and are an incredibly nutrient dense food, not to mention being relatively inexpensive. As such, we try to eat them regularly. Egg casseroles are a delightful way to switch things up a little bit and make them stretch just a little further.

This cheesy ham and broccoli egg casserole is simply delightful and will please even the pickiest eaters. It goes together quickly and makes for a delicious breakfast or supper. This is always a crowd pleaser and a sure way to impress any guest.

What is an egg casserole?

An egg casserole is a baked egg dish that is generally made of eggs, milk, cheese, meat and veggies. It is commonly served for breakfast, but can make for an easy, protein filled supper too.

What can I add to an egg casserole?

Egg casserole is delightfully versatile once you figure out a good egg to veggie ratio. With an endless number of combinations for adding in veggies and meat, it is a staple in your breakfast rotation. We love to add bacon or sausage or even ham to eggs, while peppers, onions, and mushrooms are some of our favorite veggies to toss in. I will even add spinach on occasion, it’s just such a great way to sneak a few extra veggies into your diet.

How do you make an egg casserole?

An egg casserole is very simple to make. You will start by gathering your ingredients an mixing and assembling everything together. Then you will pour it into your pan and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Pull out of the oven and serve. It’s that simple.

Can an egg casserole be frozen?

Yes! Egg casseroles can be frozen, unbaked or baked. In fact, one way that I like to preserve our extra summer eggs is to scramble them up with milk and bacon, cheese, and veggies, and then freeze in a gallon size storage bag in the freezer. The night before I want to bake the egg casserole, I pull the bag out of the freezer and allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge. The next morning, pour it into your casserole dish and then bake as usual. 

The other way that you could do it would be to bake the egg casserole and then freeze it after it cools completely. You’ll want to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. 

Either way you choose, egg casserole can be frozen and it is a wonderful thing to have in the freezer for a quick breakfast. 

When can I serve an egg casserole?

Egg casseroles are most traditionally eaten for breakfast, but they make for quick and easy evening meals as well. I love to make a big casserole early in the week and then eat the leftovers for breakfast the rest of the week. 

An egg casserole like this is also great for serving guests or large groups of people. It is so easy to prepare, but is packed full of protein.

What do I serve with ham and broccoli egg casserole?

There are so many things you could serve alongside this egg casserole, but I usually opt for a bread or sweet roll and fruit. Biscuits, muffins, quick breads, and even cinnamon rolls are a perfect accompaniment. Try these bakery-style blueberry muffins for a treat. 

How do I store egg casserole?

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat in the oven or microwave. 

What ingredients are in this ham and broccoli egg casserole?

Eggs – Eggs are, of course, the first and main ingredient in this egg casserole. You can use eggs from the grocery story or farm fresh eggs, either will work.

Cottage cheese – This is one of the secret ingredients of this casserole. It adds creamy, cheesiness and makes it extra fluffy. Bonus, it packs an extra punch of protein.

Ham – Ham cubes are the magic of this casserole. You can use a ham steak, leftover Easter ham, whatever you have on hand or can easily find. Sliced deli ham will also work, although the taste and texture are a little different. 

Broccoli – Fresh or frozen broccoli. I have used both, and I prefer the fresh. I generally do not cook it at all first, but if you like a good, soft broccoli I would quickly blanch it before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. 

Shredded cheddar cheese – I shred my own cheese and love the way it melts into the casserole. You can easily use frozen cheddar as well. 

Butter – Don’t skip it, the butter makes this casserole so rich.

Onion powder – Adds delicious flavor, onion powder is perfect in this. 

Making the casserole

You will start by prepping all of your ingredients.Cut the ham and broccoli and shred the cheese. Next, scramble all of the eggs in a large bowl. Add the seasonings and the cottage cheese and stir well. Mix in the broccoli and ham. Fold in the cheese. Spread in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. For an extra thick casserole, bake in an 8×8 inch dish and bake for a couple of minutes longer.

Casserole is done when a knife inserted comes out clean. Serve immediately.

Note: Due to all the cheese and butter, this egg casserole might appear “wet” even when it is completely baked. You are wanting to make sure that the egg portion is completely cooked through.

Conclusion

Ham and broccoli egg casserole is a delightful way to start your morning. Serve for breakfast, brunch, or supper with muffins or fresh baked bread and a side of fruit. This casserole is sure to be a crowd pleaser and leave you wanting more.Your belly will be full, your taste buds satisfied, and your body nourished after eating this.

Related: Bakery-Style Blueberry Muffins