Ham, Broccoli and Tortellini Casserole
This ham, broccoli and tortellini casserole combines cheese-filled pasta, tender broccoli, diced ham, homemade white sauce, melted cheese, and a crisp breadcrumb topping. It is a creamy family dinner that works especially well when you have leftover ham and frozen tortellini on hand.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 package (20 ounces) refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups diced cooked ham
- 1 cup shredded cheddar, Swiss, or Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
For the Homemade White Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Cook the tortellini according to the package directions until just tender.
- Add the broccoli during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking so it becomes crisp-tender.
- Drain the tortellini and broccoli well and set aside.
- To make the white sauce, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth.
- Continue stirring until the sauce thickens enough to coat a spoon.
- Season the sauce with salt and black pepper, then remove it from the heat.
- Stir the garlic powder and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese into the warm sauce until the cheese melts.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked tortellini, broccoli, diced ham, and cheese sauce.
- Fold the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the top.
- Mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter and sprinkle the mixture evenly over the cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling, the topping is lightly browned, and the center reaches 165 F.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Kid Chef Jobs
- Measure the milk, cheese, ham, broccoli, and breadcrumbs.
- Break large broccoli florets into smaller pieces.
- Stir the seasonings and cheese into the finished sauce with supervision.
- Combine the tortellini, ham, broccoli, and sauce.
- Sprinkle the cheese and breadcrumb topping over the casserole.
Adult Helper
An adult should boil and drain the tortellini, prepare the hot white sauce, melt the butter, handle the casserole dish, and place it in and out of the oven.
Do Not Overcook the Tortellini
Cook the tortellini only until just tender because it will continue cooking in the oven. Overcooked tortellini can split open or become too soft in the finished casserole.
Easy Variations
- Replace tortellini with cooked penne, rotini, shells, or egg noodles.
- Use peas, spinach, cauliflower, mushrooms, or mixed vegetables instead of broccoli.
- Replace ham with cooked chicken, turkey, or sausage.
- Use Swiss, cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan cheese.
- Add onion powder, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, thyme, or paprika.
- Replace the breadcrumb topping with crushed crackers, cornflakes, or panko.
Recipe, image, and content from
Kids-Cooking-Activities.com