This is a freezer meal that the whole family is sure tolove! I have some picky eaters that willingly and happily ate thisham and cheese braid, so it is definitely a keeper for me. Plus, it is super easy to make!
Ham and Cheese Braid Recipe
I made 6 of these ham and cheese braids the other day! I participate in a freezer meal group, so we each make severalof one meal, then exchange meals with the others in the group toget a nice variety each month.
I assembled two braids at a time until all six were done. It was easy and went quickly!
Ham and Cheese Braid Ingredients:
I boughtRhodes frozen white bread dough(with a coupon, of course), bulk shredded cheese, and a whole cooked boneless ham.
You cantry usinga differentbread dough, including homemade if you want to. We like the white bread dough better than the wheat for this recipe though.
The ham happened to beon salefor less than the deli meats and the pre-sliced, pre-packaged meats. Plus,the nice lady at the deli was ableto slice up the entire ham for me free of charge.
How to Assemble Your Ham and Cheese Braid:
A pizza wheelworks greatto cut the strips along the edges of the dough.
Layer the seasonedbutter, ham, and cheese down the center of the of the rolled out bread dough. Then criss-cross the strips over the top of it all. Brush on some more butter and sprinkle on some pretty poppy seeds. Viola!
Ham and Cheese Braid Freezing Tips:
To protect the braid from freezer burn, it helpsto wrap it in plastic wrap and foil. I think it works nicely to wrap the foil around at a diagonal angle, basically asyou might see a Subway “sandwich artist” do. 😉
Label your bundle of ham and cheese goodness, then let it reside in the freezer.
Baking Your Ham and Cheese Braid:
Before baking, make sure to REMOVE the plastic wrap! Then, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
A few hours prior to baking, set it on the counter to come toroom temperature. Bake it right on the foil you use for wrappingand cleanup is a breeze!Round out this meal with a vegetable side dish, like a green salad or steamed broccoli.
Any time I need to spread something, like the butter in this recipe, or frosting, I always reach for my little,angled spatula. Easy, smooth, and even spreading!
Learn More About Freezer Meal Cooking:
- Top 5 Reasons to Start Freezer Meal Cooking
- Freezer Meal Groups vs. Going Solo
- 24 Freezer Meal Hacks to Make Your Life Easier
- Foods That Don’t Freeze Well
- Freezer Meal eBook
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See all our freezer meal recipes here!
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Ham and Cheese Braid Recipe (Freezer Meal)
This is a freezer meal that the whole family is sure tolove! I have some picky eaters that willingly and happily ate thisham and cheese braid, so it is definitely a keeper for me. Plus, it is super easy to make!
5 / 5 ( 7 Reviews )
Print Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
Serves: 6
Adjust Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 Entree:
- 1 loaf Rhodes frozen bread dough
- ¼ cup butter softened
- ½ envelope Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix
- ½ - ¾ pound thinly sliced ham
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon poppy seeds
Instructions
Thaw the bread dough and let rise (according to package directions). Roll bread dough out into a rectangular shape, approximately 1/4-inch thick. Use a pizza cutter to cut strips along each side of the dough (even numbers on each side).
Combine butter and ranch mix. Spread about 4 tablespoons of butter mixture along the center of the dough lengthwise. Layer ham and cheese over the butter. Starting at the bottom, take each edge strip of dough, gently cross and stretch it over to the other side of the braid, tucking the end under the braid. Continue criss-crossing until your dough is all braided up. Brush remaining butter/ranch mixture over top. Sprinkle with poppy seeds.
Preparing For the Freezer: Wrap braid in plastic wrap and then foil. Label and freeze.
Prepare after Freezing: Remove plastic wrap and then replace the foil. Place the braid in fridge to thaw overnight. A couple of hours before you are ready to bake, place braid on the counter to come to room temperature. Use foil layer to line the baking sheet. Bake at 350°F/175°C for 25-30 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Before baking, you will want to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then let it come to room temperature on the counter for a few hours before baking. Bake it right on the foil you use for wrapping and cleanup is a breeze!
Nutrition
Calories: 604kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 35g | Sodium: 1724mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g
