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Easy One-Pot Ham, Rice, and Broccoli Skillet: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal

In the whirlwind of busy days, finding a meal that’s both satisfying and simple to prepare can feel like a culinary victory. Enter the Ham, Rice, and Broccoli Skillet – a true kitchen hero designed to streamline your dinner routine. This incredible one-pot wonder delivers a complete, hearty meal with minimal effort and cleanup, making it an absolute lifesaver for families on the go. Imagine tender ham, fluffy rice, and vibrant broccoli, all united in a creamy, savory sauce, ready to serve in under 30 minutes. It’s not just easy; it’s genuinely delicious and consistently earns rave reviews, even from the pickiest eaters. Get ready to fall in love with this ultimate comfort food that promises both convenience and flavor.

Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Ham, Rice, and Broccoli Skillet

There are countless reasons why this particular skillet dinner is a standout, particularly for those hectic weeknights. First and foremost, its “one-pot” nature means less mess and minimal dishes to wash, saving you precious time and effort after a long day. Everything – from sautéing the aromatics to cooking the rice and warming the ham and broccoli – happens in a single pan. This significantly reduces your kitchen cleanup, making it a dream come true for busy parents and anyone looking to simplify their cooking process.

Beyond convenience, this dish is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s a well-balanced meal offering a satisfying blend of protein from the ham, complex carbohydrates from the rice, and essential vitamins and fiber from the broccoli. This ensures your family gets a wholesome and energy-sustaining dinner. Plus, the flavors are incredibly comforting and universally appealing. The savory ham, tender rice, and slightly crisp broccoli are beautifully tied together with a creamy, cheesy sauce seasoned to perfection. It’s hearty, flavorful, and incredibly versatile, easily adapting to various dietary preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand.

Essential Ingredients for Your Ham, Rice, and Broccoli Skillet

One of the beauties of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredient list, featuring items commonly found in most kitchens. We prioritize convenience and flavor to ensure a delicious outcome every time.

I especially love incorporating ham steaks into my recipes. They are pre-cooked, which means no raw meat handling and no need to worry about additional cooking steps for the ham. This not only saves time but also simplifies cleanup, as you can often use the same cutting board for your veggies without cross-contamination concerns. Simply cube the ham steak, and you’re ready to go!

• Olive Oil: The base for sautéing our aromatics.
• Yellow Onion: Diced finely to provide a sweet and savory foundation.
• Minced Garlic: Adds an essential aromatic depth. Freshly minced is best, but jarred works too for convenience.
• Jasmine Rice: Chosen for its lovely aroma and fluffy texture when cooked. White rice or basmati can also be substituted.
• Chicken Broth: The liquid base for cooking the rice and creating a flavorful sauce. Vegetable broth can be used for a lighter flavor.
• Seasonings (Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Oregano, Salt, Pepper): This blend provides a warm, savory, and slightly smoky profile, enhancing all the flavors in the skillet.
• Ham Steak: Cubed and pre-cooked, it’s the star protein of this dish, offering a wonderful salty and savory component.
• Frozen Bag Broccoli Florets: Convenient and nutritious, they cook perfectly right in the skillet. Fresh broccoli florets can also be used, though they might require a minute or two longer to become tender-crisp.
• Cheddar Cheese (or Mexican Blend Cheese): Shredded cheese melts into the dish, creating a creamy, irresistible finish. Feel free to use your favorite melty cheese!

How to Master the Ham, Rice, and Broccoli Skillet (Step-by-Step Guide)

This recipe truly lives up to its “one-pot” promise. You won’t need an array of separate pots or pans, simplifying both the cooking and the cleanup. While a cutting board will be useful for chopping your onion and cubing the ham, that’s essentially the extent of your prep work. Imagine serving this delicious meal on paper plates for an almost zero-cleanup dinner – a busy parent’s dream!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Begin by heating a large Dutch oven or a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Once shimmering, add the diced yellow onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it begins to soften and become translucent. This initial step builds a flavorful base for the entire dish.
2. Infuse with Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can make it bitter. Cooking it until just fragrant helps release all its wonderful aroma and flavor into the oil.
3. Combine Main Ingredients: Now, add the jasmine rice, chicken broth, all the seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper), the frozen broccoli florets, and the cubed ham steak to the Dutch oven. Give everything a good stir to ensure the rice is evenly distributed and coated, and the seasonings are well incorporated.
4. Simmer to Perfection: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid, and let it cook for 15-18 minutes. The key here is to allow the rice to absorb the liquid and cook thoroughly. Remember to stir occasionally, every 5-7 minutes, to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan and ensure even cooking. The broccoli will also steam and become tender during this time.
5. Finish with Cheese and Serve: Once the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, remove the lid. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese (or your preferred Mexican blend). Stir gently until the cheese is completely melted and creates a creamy, luscious sauce that coats all the ingredients.
6. Enjoy Your Meal: Remove the skillet from the heat and serve immediately. This dish is fantastic on its own, but you can also pair it with a simple side salad or some crusty bread for dipping into the cheesy sauce.

Tips for Success and Delicious Variations

To ensure your Ham, Rice, and Broccoli Skillet turns out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips:

• Don’t Peek Too Much: While occasional stirring is good for the rice, try not to lift the lid too frequently during the simmering phase. This allows the steam to properly cook the rice.
• Adjust Liquid as Needed: Different types of rice or even different brands can absorb liquid slightly differently. If your rice seems too dry, add a splash more broth (1/4 cup at a time) and continue to simmer. If it’s too wet, cook uncovered for an extra minute or two until the liquid reduces.
• Cheese Choice: While cheddar is classic, Monterey Jack, Colby, or a combination of cheeses can elevate the flavor profile. For an extra creamy sauce, you can stir in a tablespoon of cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream with the shredded cheese.
• Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the other seasonings can give this dish a subtle kick.
• Add More Veggies: Feel free to incorporate other quick-cooking vegetables like diced bell peppers, peas, or corn during the last 5-7 minutes of simmering.

Serving Suggestions:

This Ham, Rice, and Broccoli Skillet is a complete meal on its own. However, for those who enjoy complementing their dishes, consider:

• A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to add freshness.
• Garlic bread or crusty artisan bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
• A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top for an extra creamy touch.

Make Ahead & Storage Tips

This skillet meal is also fantastic for meal prep! It stores well and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for busy individuals or families who enjoy having pre-cooked meals ready.

• Refrigeration: Allow any leftovers to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions. Place cooled skillet contents in freezer-safe containers or bags, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: For best results, reheat portions gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the rice and create steam. Stir occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through, until hot.

More Delicious Ham Recipes for Busy Days

If you’re now a fan of easy and delicious ham-based meals, here are a few more of my absolute favorites that you’ll want to add to your rotation:

Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes

One-Pot Ham and Noodles

Cheesy Ham and Noodle Casserole

4.45 from 25 votes

Ham, Broccoli, and Rice Skillet

By:
Julia Pacheco

This Ham, Broccoli, and Rice Skillet is a creamy, comforting one-pan meal packed with hearty rice, tender broccoli, and savory ham—easy to make and perfect for busy nights.

Prep:
5 minutes mins

Cook:
20 minutes mins

Total:
25 minutes mins

Servings:
4 servings

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Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• ¾ cup jasmine rice
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 lb ham steak, cubed
• 12 oz frozen bag broccoli
• ¾ cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. To a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add in the onion and let cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add in the rice, chicken broth, all the seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper), the frozen broccoli, and the cubed ham. Stir well to combine.
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover with a lid and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for 15-18 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
5. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 436kcal |
Carbohydrates: 39g |
Protein: 33g |
Fat: 16g |
Saturated Fat: 6g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 6g |
Cholesterol: 74mg |
Sodium: 2227mg |
Potassium: 786mg |
Fiber: 4g |
Sugar: 3g |
Vitamin A: 1001IU |
Vitamin C: 115mg |
Calcium: 229mg |
Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.