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Start your day the hearty way with this wholesome Ham Potato Broccoli Casserole! Skip the scalloped potatoes and use frozen shredded potatoes for a low-calorie, filling, and easy shortcut. It’s the perfect blend of cheesiness, crispiness, and convenience.
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Don’t stress over making scalloped potatoes—this ham potato broccoli casserole is a time-saving alternative! No more peeling or shredding potatoes—just a simple shortcut with frozen pre-shredded potatoes (no thawing needed!). The secret to making this dish creamy, healthy and high-protein? Cottage cheese instead of heavy cream.
A true comfort food to jump-start your day, this dish combines nutritious broccoli, hearty potatoes, and creamy cottage cheese for a lighter, yet satisfying breakfast dish that’s all around better for you.
If you love comforting breakfast bakes, try this healthy Denver omelet casserole, egg and sausage casserole, or easy tater tot breakfast casserole next!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nutritional Value: It’s not just about calories—what truly matters is the balance of macronutrients (protein, fats, and carbs), which helps keep you full and satisfied. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free!
- High in Protein: With cottage cheese as a key ingredient, this ham and potato casserole is packed with protein, making it creamy while supporting your body’s nutritional needs, especially for breakfast.
- Versatile and Easy: Simple to prepare, with easy-to-find ingredients, this recipe is incredibly versatile. It’s forgiving if you want to swap out ingredients and requires minimal effort!
Ingredients
- Broccoli: Adds color, texture, and a nutritional boost. Frozen broccoli is easiest (just thaw), but fresh florets work too (may require longer cooking). Carrots, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower are good substitutes, too.
- Ham: Brings a savory, salty flavor with protein. Substitute this healthy recipe with ham for shredded chicken, turkey breast, pork, or shrimp. For a vegetarian option, try tofu or tempeh.
- Shredded Potatoes: Provides volume and texture, turning creamy as they bake. I used frozen shredded potatoes for convenience, but you can shred fresh potatoes or swap with sweet potatoes or yams.
- Flour: Acts as a thickening agent, creating a smooth, creamy base. You can use white, whole wheat, oat, gluten-free, or almond flour, but avoid coconut flour as it may be too thick.
- The Cheeses: Cheddar cheese provides gooey richness, while cottage cheese adds creaminess, protein, and a mild tang. Substitute the cottage cheese with plain Greek Yogurt or ricotta cheese if preferred.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations & Dietary Modifications
- Tex-Mex Flair: Add drained and rinsed black beans and diced bell peppers to the broccoli ham casserole. After baking, top with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa for a tasty Mexican-inspired twist.
- Mediterranean Spin: Swap the ham for cooked chicken or turkey, and replace the broccoli with sautéed spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. After baking, finish with crumbled feta cheese and black olives for a creamy, briny kick.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use a dairy-free milk alternative and swap the cottage cheese with a dairy free cream sauce or a protein dairy-free yogurt. Replace the cheddar cheese with a dairy-free cheese option or nutritional yeast.
- Low-Carb Version: Replace the shredded potatoes with cauliflower rice to make this potato and ham recipe a low-carb alternative while maintaining similar flavor and texture.
How To Make Ham Potato Broccoli Casserole
Ready to make this wholesome and delicious broccoli ham casserole with broccoli? Preheat your oven to 400°F, grease a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish, grab a mixing bowl and a skillet, and gather your ingredients. Follow these simple steps and let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Cook the Veggies. Sauté the onion and broccoli in a skillet with the oil over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until slightly tender.
Step 2: Make the Roux. Reduce the heat to low and toss the veggies in flour. Stir in a 1/2 cup of milk, then add the salt, pepper, thyme, and garlic powder. Increase the heat to medium-high again, and bring the roux to a boil for 2 minutes, until thickened.
Step 3: Make the Casserole. Once thickened, remove the pan from heat and fold in the potatoes, ham, and cottage cheese.
Step 4: Layer Everything. Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish and top with the cheddar cheese.
Step 5: Bake, Garnish and Serve. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, and then, broil on high for 3 minutes, until the top is brown and crispy. Garnish with green onions and serve!
Expert Tips
- Bake it Uncovered: For a crispy top, bake the dish uncovered. This allows steam to escape and lets the potatoes develop a classic browned crust.
- Let it Rest: Let the healthy ham casserole sit for a few minutes after baking to allow it to firm up and make for cleaner servings.
- Storing: Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, use a stove, microwave, toaster oven, or skillet. Note that the texture may be slightly softer if frozen after baking.
- Make Ahead: Prepare it up to the point of baking, then cover and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake according to instructions. Alternatively, store the unbaked casserole in the fridge (with cheese reserved) for up to 3 days. Bake when you’re ready to enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Now that your ham broccoli potato casserole is baked and cooling, it’s time to consider how to round out your meal. This dish already covers all the nutritional bases—protein, carbs, and greens—but if you’re looking to add a little bit more to your meal, here are some tasty ideas:
- Perfect for a healthy brunch meal for Easter! Especially for a hearty breakfast or brunch, alongside protein scrambled eggs, healthy egg muffins, or easy egg omelet.
- Pair it with a refreshing drink like this healthy strawberry smoothie recipe, a healthy carrot cake smoothie, or a strawberry pineapple smoothie for a balanced meal.
- Want to enjoy it for dinner? Serve with protein-packed options like dijon salmon, buffalo chicken balls, or healthy meatloaf recipe.
Recipe FAQs
Add the shredded potatoes directly while frozen—no need to thaw!
While it’s not required, I recommend thawing and draining the broccoli to avoid excess moisture. This helps prevent a thin roux and soggy bake. Frozen broccoli contains a lot of liquid, which can affect the texture.
Yes, deli ham can be used as a substitute. It is often thinner and pre-cooked, which still works well in this recipe.
More Nutritious Casserole Recipes
If you tried this Ham Potato and Broccoli Casserole recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.
Ham Potato Broccoli Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Avocado Oil, Butter, ghee or coconut oil could be used. I do not recommend olive oil as the casserole is baked at a high temperature and olive oil should not be used at high temperatures.
- 1 cup Yellow Onion, diced, White onion or scallions can be used instead.
- 2 cups Broccoli Florets, frozen and thawed
- 2 ½ cups Ham, cooked and diced
- 1 lb Shredded Potatoes, frozen
- ⅓ cup Gluten Free Flour, for substitutions read the blog post
- 3 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk, or milk of choice
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Dried Thyme
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- ½ cup Low Fat Cottage Cheese
- ½ cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 2 Green Onions, diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Prepare a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Bring a large skillet to medium heat, add the oil, onion and broccoli florets. Cook for 5 minutes until the veggies are slightly tender.
- Reduce the temperature to low then add the flour tossing with the veggies. Next add the milk a ½ cup at a time stirring as you go. Add in the salt, pepper, thyme and garlic powder. Increase the heat to medium-high and let it come to a boil for 2 minutes uncovered. The mixture should thicken.
- Turn off the heat then add the frozen potatoes, ham and cottage cheese stirring the ingredients together. Transfer the contents from the skillet to the prepared baking pan then top with the cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes then turn the broiler to high for 3 minutes to brown the top. Remove from the oven and serve topped with sliced green onions for garnish.
Notes
- Bake it Uncovered: For crispy, golden edges, always bake this casserole uncovered. It allows the potatoes to crisp up and the flavors to develop.
- Let it Rest: After baking, let the casserole sit for a few minutes to help it firm up and make for cleaner, neater slices.
- Storing: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This Dish was wonderful my husband said it reminded him of very thick potato ham and soup. ai found it a comfort dish during the cold weather.
Made this for Thanksgiving and it was delicious. Thank you!