Isn’t there something irresistibly cozy about golden, freshly baked bread stuffed with gooey cheese, savory ham, and tender broccoli? These Broccoli Ham Roll Ups bring all the comforting flavors of a cheesy casserole, wrap them in pillowy homemade dough, and turn them into the perfect sized snack or grab-and-go lunch idea. Whether you’re prepping freezer-friendly meals for the week or need a crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day, these rolls disappear fast—sometimes before they even hit the serving tray.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. I MAY EARN A COMMISION IF YOU PURCHACE. PLEASE SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY FOR DETAILS. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.
You can absolutely use store-bought pizza or bread dough if you’re in a hurry. However, this homemade dough comes together quickly, rolls out like a dream, and bakes up soft, fluffy, and flavorful. It’s seriously one of those doughs that makes you think, “Why didn’t I make this sooner?” Once you try it, you’ll want to use it again and again for roll ups, strombolis, or savory buns.
Cheesy, warm, savory, and oh-so satisfying…these are downright RIDIC-ULICIOUS! 🧀✨
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love These Broccoli Ham Roll Ups
- ✅ Soft homemade dough that’s easy to work with and rolls beautifully
- ✅ Great for lunchboxes, party trays, game nights, and holiday snacking
- ✅ A fun twist on classic ham-and-broccoli flavors
- ✅ Kid-approved and dip-friendly
- ✅ Make ahead, refrigerate, or freeze for later
Ingredients Overview
Dough
We’ll use a simple yeast dough made with milk, egg, butter, and flour. It rises beautifully and stays soft after baking.
Filling
Finely chopped broccoli blends perfectly with diced ham and shredded cheese. A touch of cream cheese or mayo helps the filling stay together inside the dough.
Seasoning
Garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon, and optional red pepper flakes give these savory rolls a depth of flavor.
Topping
A buttery garlic-Parmesan finish adds an irresistible golden crust.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Broccoli Ham Roll Ups
- Make the Dough: Mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar until foamy. Add egg, butter, salt, and flour. Knead until smooth and elastic.
- Rise: Let dough rise about 1 hour until doubled.
- Prepare the Filling: Pulse broccoli, dice ham, and mix with shredded cheese, cream cheese/mayo, Dijon, and seasonings.
- Roll It Out: Once risen, roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
- Fill and Roll: Spread filling evenly over the dough, leaving a border. Roll tightly into a log.
- Slice: Cut into 1-inch rolls with a serrated knife.
- Brush and Bake: Brush tops with garlic butter and Parmesan. Bake until golden and bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve warm—with ranch, honey mustard, or cheese sauce.
Expert Tips for Success
- Press the filling gently into the dough to help it stay in place.
- Use a serrated knife to cut through the roll cleanly without squishing it.
- Don’t skip the topping—garlic butter + Parmesan = golden perfection.
- If using frozen broccoli, thaw and blot dry before pulsing.
Flavor Variations
| Try This | Flavor Twist |
|---|---|
| Swiss instead of cheddar | Ham & Swiss classic |
| Add jalapeños | Spicy kick |
| Toss in green onions | Fresh, mild onion flavor |
| Swap ham for bacon | Smoky and crispy |
| Add more Parmesan | Extra cheesy punch |
Serving Suggestions
These are delicious served:
- Warm with ranch, honey mustard, or cheese dip
- On a game day platter with other finger foods
- Packed into lunchboxes
- Paired with tomato soup or broccoli cheddar soup
- As a fun dinner side with salad
They reheat beautifully and are easy to grab and go!
Storage & Freezing
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze Unbaked: Slice rolls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes.
- Freeze Baked: Cool fully, wrap tightly, and reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm.
FAQ
Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes! Store-bought bread or pizza dough works fine. However, the homemade dough in this recipe is incredibly easy to make, rolls out smoothly, and bakes into a soft, fluffy roll that tastes bakery-fresh—so it’s definitely worth trying.
Do I need to cook the broccoli first?
No. As long as it’s finely chopped, it will soften perfectly during baking.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prep the rolls, refrigerate them overnight, then bake the next day—or freeze before or after baking.
Once you taste them fresh out of the oven, you’ll understand why these Broccoli Ham Roll Ups are a new family favorite.
Broccoli Ham Roll Ups
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup milk warm about 110°F
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour add more as needed
For the Filling
- 1 ½ cups broccoli finely chopped fresh or thawed frozen, pulsed in food processor
- 1 cup ham finely diced or ground ham
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese mozzarella, Colby Jack, or a blend – shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese softened-or ¼ cup shredded Parmesan + 2 tablespoon mayo
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard optional for tang
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch red pepper flakes optional
For the Garlic Parmesan Topping
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese grated
- pinch of dried parsley or Italian seasoning Optional:
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add egg, melted butter, salt, and 2 ½ cups of the flour. Mix until combined, adding more flour as needed until dough is soft and slightly tacky.
- Knead dough by hand or with a dough hook for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Finely chop or pulse broccoli and ham in a food processor if needed. Add shredded cheese, cream cheese or Parmesan/mayo, Dijon, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix until combined.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it into a 12×18-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread the broccoli ham filling evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges. Tightly roll the dough from the long side into a log.
- Using a serrated knife, slice the log into 1-inch rolls (about 16 pieces). Place them on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Mix melted butter with garlic powder. Brush the tops of the rolls and sprinkle with Parmesan. Let them rest for 15–20 minutes while the oven preheats to 375°F.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Brush with additional melted butter if desired.
- Serve warm with ranch, honey mustard, cheese sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
💡 Notes
- Make-Ahead: Rolls can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated overnight before baking the next day.
- Freezing (Unbaked): Slice and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes.
- Cheese Choices: Swiss gives a ham & Swiss flavor, while cheddar adds a classic savory taste.
- Add-ons: Mix in chopped green onion or crumbled bacon for extra flavor.
- Reheating: Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes or air fry for 3–4 minutes to refresh.