Broccoli, Ham and Cheese Casserole

• medium onion↗1

  chopped

• garlic clove↗1

  minced

• butter or olive oil↗3 tablespoons
• flour↗3 tablespoons
• milk↗1 cup
• salt↗
• pepper↗
• brown rice↗1 cup

  cooked

• ham↗1 cup

  diced (can use more)

• broccoli florets↗3 cups

  steamed

• broth1 cup

  chicken (or vegetarian)

• cheese1 cup

  (shredded or cubed, I use Jarlsberg, your choice)

• onion rings1 cup

  french fried

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. 2

   Cook onions in butter until almost soft, add garlic and cook all until soft.

3. 3

   Sprinkle flour over butter/onion mixture, stir to form a roux.

4. 4

   Slowly pour in milk and broth. Stir until somewhat thickened. Add cheese, salt and pepper. Continue to stir until thickened.

5. 5

   Spread ham, broccoli and rice in 9x9 glass casserole pan (or similar).

6. 6

   Pour cheese mixture over top.

7. 7

   Bake for 15 minutes.

8. 8

   Sprinkle fried onions on top. Bake for another 15 min until cheese is bubbling but not burnt!

9. 9

   Note: I was out of milk and didn't want to cook rice or broccoli ahead of time. I did the onion - flour steps the same, then upped the liquid (3 Cups broth) and just added the raw rice and broccoli to the pan, let the mixture of stuff come to a boil, then simmered for a few minutes; stirred in the cheese; sprinkled the onions on top; baked for 20min. Yum!