Craving a warm, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying pasta casserole that the whole family will devour, but want to keep things on the healthier side? This amazing, protein-packed Broccoli Cheddar Ham Pasta Casserole is the delicious, guilt-free comfort food you’ve been looking for!
This isn’t just another casserole recipe; it’s a modern, wholesome upgrade to a classic. We’ll show you the viral secret to creating a luxuriously creamy and cheesy sauce using a brilliant cottage cheese hack—no heavy cream required! Packed with tender pasta, savory ham, and nutty roasted broccoli, and finished with a golden, bubbly topping, this is a complete one-dish meal that is sure to become a new family favorite.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Healthy Comfort Food
What makes this Broccoli Cheddar Ham Pasta Casserole so brilliant is its perfect combination of classic, comforting flavors and modern, healthy ingredients. This recipe is a true powerhouse of nutrition, loaded with protein from the cottage cheese, protein pasta, and ham, and packed with fiber and vitamins from the roasted broccoli. It’s an easy, satisfying, and delicious way to enjoy a hearty casserole that will keep you and your family feeling full and energized.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 50 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 8 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Protein-Packed Casserole
This recipe uses a handful of wholesome ingredients and smart shortcuts to create a stunning and satisfying meal.
- The High-Protein Stars:
- Cottage Cheese: This is our secret weapon for an incredibly creamy, guilt-free sauce! When you blend low-fat cottage cheese, the curds completely disappear, creating a smooth, velvety base that mimics a rich cream sauce but is packed with protein.
- Protein Pasta: To make this a true protein powerhouse, we use a protein-fortified pasta. These are typically made from legumes like chickpeas or lentils and contain significantly more protein and fiber than traditional pasta.
- Diced Ham: A convenient and delicious way to add a savory, salty, and protein-rich element to the casserole. Using a pre-diced, cooked ham makes this recipe extra fast.
- The Vegetables (Roasted Broccoli): The key to the best flavor is roasting the broccoli! This simple step is a game-changer. Roasting the broccoli florets at a high heat makes them wonderfully tender, nutty, and slightly caramelized, which is far more delicious than adding them raw or steamed.
- The Cheese Sauce:
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: A classic and perfect pairing with broccoli and ham. Using a sharp cheddar will give your sauce the most robust and delicious cheesy flavor.
- Pasta Water: This is the non-negotiable “liquid gold” of all great pasta dishes! The starchy, salty water that the pasta cooks in is the secret ingredient that helps the sauce emulsify and become perfectly silky.
Step-by-Step to the Perfect Pasta Casserole
Follow these simple, detailed steps to assemble and bake this delicious and easy one-pan meal.
Step 1: Roast the Broccoli for Maximum Flavor
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss the 3 cups of broccoli florets with the 1 tablespoon of avocado oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread them out in a single, even layer.
Roast for 15-20 minutes, until the broccoli is tender and the edges are slightly browned and crispy. This step develops an incredible, nutty flavor that you can’t get from steaming or boiling.
Once the broccoli is done, remove it from the oven and lower the oven heat to 350°F (175°C) for the final bake.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
While the broccoli is roasting, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil.
Cook the 12 ounces of protein pasta according to the directions on the box until it is al dente (tender, but still with a firm bite).
Crucial Pro Tip: Before you drain the pasta, use a mug or a liquid measuring cup to reserve at least 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water. Then, drain the pasta.
Step 3: Blend the High-Protein Cheese Sauce
While the pasta is cooking, you can make the entire sauce. In the pitcher of a blender, combine the 16 ounces of low-fat cottage cheese, the 2/3 cup of milk, the 1 teaspoon of salt, the 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and the minced garlic.
Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely and totally smooth, silky, and creamy.
Pour the blended sauce into a large, non-stick skillet and warm it gently over low heat.
Add 1/2 of the shredded cheddar cheese to the warm sauce and stir until it has completely melted.
Step 4: Combine, Top, and Bake to Perfection
Add the reserved 1/4 cup of hot pasta water to the cheese sauce in the skillet, and then add the drained, cooked pasta.
Turn off the heat. Stir the pasta continuously in the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes. This final step is key: the motion allows the starches from the pasta and the pasta water to emulsify with the sauce, causing it to beautifully coat every noodle and thicken to a perfect, luscious consistency.
Gently stir in the roasted broccoli and the diced ham.
Transfer the entire mixture to a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs (if you’re using them).
Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the casserole is heated through and the cheese on top is perfectly melted and bubbly. Enjoy!
The Best Creamy High-Protein Broccoli Cheddar Ham Casserole
A hearty and high-protein pasta casserole featuring the classic combination of broccoli, cheddar, and ham. This recipe uses a creamy sauce made from blended low-fat cottage cheese as a healthier alternative to traditional cream sauces. Fresh or frozen broccoli florets are roasted to enhance their flavor, then tossed with cooked protein pasta, diced ham, and the cheesy sauce. The casserole is topped with more cheddar and optional breadcrumbs, then baked until hot and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking, Roasting, Blending
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
- 12 ounces diced ham
- 12 ounces protein pasta
- 16 ounces low-fat cottage cheese
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- Breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. On a sheet pan, toss the broccoli florets with oil and a pinch of salt. Roast for 15-20 minutes until tender.
- Once the broccoli is done, remove it from the oven and lower the oven heat to 350°F.
- While the broccoli roasts, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta.
- Make the Sauce: In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic. Blend until completely smooth.
- Pour the blended sauce into a non-stick skillet and warm it over low heat.
- Stir in half of the cheddar cheese (about 3/4 cup) and the reserved 1/4 cup of pasta water until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Assemble the Casserole: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Turn off the heat and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to coat the pasta and thicken.
- Stir in the roasted broccoli and the diced ham.
- Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs, if using.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Roasting the broccoli before adding it to the casserole gives it a deeper, less watery flavor.
- Using a blender to make the sauce is the key to creating a smooth, creamy texture from the cottage cheese.
- Reserving the starchy pasta water helps the cheese sauce come together and cling to the pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 550-650
- Sugar: 8-12 g
- Sodium: 1400-1800 mg
- Fat: 20-28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11-15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45-55 g
- Fiber: 6-8 g
- Protein: 40-50 g
- Cholesterol: 90-120 mg
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This Broccoli Cheddar Ham Pasta Casserole is a fantastic dish for meal prep and leftovers.
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with foil, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before you plan to bake it. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if you are baking it straight from the fridge.
- Storage: Store any leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat the casserole is in the oven. Place it in an oven-safe dish, add a splash of milk to keep it moist, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F until it is hot and bubbly.
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Creative Recipe Variations
This wholesome and satisfying casserole is a wonderful base for your own creative and delicious twists.
- Use a Different Protein: If you’re not in the mood for ham, you can easily swap it for 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken or 1 pound of cooked, crumbled bacon or turkey bacon.
- Make it Vegetarian: For a delicious vegetarian version, simply omit the ham and double the amount of broccoli. You could also add a mix of other roasted vegetables, like cauliflower, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
- Add an Extra Crispy Topping: For an even crunchier, more decadent topping, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular ones. In a small bowl, toss 1/2 cup of panko with 1 tablespoon of melted butter before sprinkling it over the top of the casserole.
Enjoy Your Healthy and Hearty Casserole!
You’ve just created a truly special one-dish meal that is a perfect harmony of comforting, classic flavors and wholesome, nourishing ingredients. This High-Protein Broccoli Cheddar Ham Pasta Casserole is a delicious, satisfying, and guilt-free way to enjoy a beloved classic. It’s a guaranteed family-pleaser that is perfect for any night of the week.
We hope you love every last, creamy, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, healthy casserole!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can you actually taste the cottage cheese in this casserole?
No, not at all! That is the absolute magic of using a blender. When you blend the cottage cheese until it is completely smooth, the curds and the signature texture disappear entirely. The final sauce is incredibly smooth and creamy, with a mild, tangy flavor very similar to a classic cream cheese or béchamel-based sauce, but with a massive boost of protein.
Q2: Why do you roast the broccoli instead of just steaming it or adding it raw?
Roasting is a game-changing step for vegetables in a casserole! Roasting the broccoli at a high heat caramelizes its natural sugars, giving it a deep, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor that is far more delicious than bland, steamed broccoli. It also helps to remove some of its moisture, which prevents your casserole from becoming watery.
Q3: Can I make this casserole ahead of time and freeze it?
Yes, this casserole freezes very well. You can assemble the entire casserole in a freezer-safe dish (without the breadcrumb topping is best), cover it tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it completely in the refrigerator overnight before topping it with the breadcrumbs and baking as directed.
Q4: What is “protein pasta” and do I have to use it?
Protein pasta is a type of pasta that has a higher protein content than traditional pasta, typically because it is made from legumes like chickpeas, lentils, or edamame. You absolutely do not have to use it. You can make this recipe with an equal amount of regular pasta, whole wheat pasta, or your favorite gluten-free pasta as well!
Q5: My sauce seems a little thin before I add the pasta. Is that okay?
Yes, that is perfectly fine. The sauce is designed to be a little bit loose at first. It will thicken up significantly in the final step, when you stir in the hot, starchy pasta and the reserved pasta water. The starches from the pasta are the final secret ingredient that helps to thicken the sauce to a perfect, creamy consistency that clings to every noodle.