Easter is not one of those holidays where you can count on certain weather–especially not in upstate New York. Maybe this is why I don’t look forward to it like I used to as a child–Easter dresses and bonnets, no winter coats, sun shining and windows open. I do know what hasn’t changed, my love for cooking on a holiday, even if it’s not my favorite. Easter dinner is what’s on the menu right now.
The star of my Easter dinner is, of course, the ham. Oh, how I look forward to a huge ham for Easter. Traditionally, pineapple, cloves, with a cherry in a the middle was a way to dress up the ham and cook it. The flavoring was impeccable, but I chose a simple glaze that will give ton of flavor. Brown sugar, Dijon mustard and a little honey to top it off. Whisk and brush over the ham, I usually start glazing the last 30 minutes of cooking. My stomach is growling already.
It’s easy to get carried away with many and varied side dishes for your ham, but if you are looking for something simple and just for maybe the two of you, I suggest going for Sausage and Broccoli Casserole. Not every day do you have a casserole that knocks you off your feet. Even though it could be a little heavy for your traditional Easter dinner, this dish will pair delightfully with only ham. I roasted the broccoli and onions before adding them into the casserole, which helps bring out the flavor of the broccoli and sweetness of the onion. It’s a cheesy goodness!
The best part of the casserole is if you choose to make this for dinner after Easter, use the leftover ham, chop it up and throw it right into the casserole. One pot meal. Delicious.
I hope everyone has a Happy Easter!
- 1 lb. Italian Sausage
- 2 cups Broccoli Florets, frozen is fine
- 1 box Garlic Toast
- 1 large onion sliced
- 2 cups of shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 1 tsp. Pepper
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Place Garlic Toast on a cookie sheet
- Spread broccoli onto another cookie sheet
- Spread the sliced onion onto the same cookie sheet
- Drizzle with Olive Oil
- Sprinkle with Salt and Pepper
- Cook Bread for about 10-12 minutes until brown around the edges
- Roast broccoli and onions for about 15 minutes, just about half way cooked
- Remove bread from oven
- Cut into cubes
- In a casserole dish, spray bottom of pan with cooking spray
- Add sausage, bread, broccoli and onions
- Toss together
- Sprinkle 2 cups of cheese over top
- Bake for 30 minutes
Donna Wright
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