This Ham Casserole is is loaded with delicious bites of broccoli and super creamy rice! It’s a great recipe to make with leftover ham and it’s make-ahead and freezer friendly!
Ham Casserole
I can’t get enough of this incredible Ham Casserole recipe, it’s one of my favorite ways to make use of leftover ham while also switching up our normal dinner routine. I love using a variety of different vegetables here too! Bonus: This makes the best make-ahead recipe and freezer food!
Make-Ahead Method
- Assemble as outlined but don’t add Ritz topping.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. (You can also freeze it and let it thaw for 24 hours prior to following the remaining steps below.)
- If possible, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to baking.
- Add an additional 25 minutes of covered baking time, until the cheese is melted and the dish is hot. Add Ritz topping and bake for 10-15 more minutes, uncovered.
Pro Tips
- Use white long grain rice, not Instant rice. It has a creamier consistency and better flavor.
- Using Brown or Wild Rice: Other varieties of rice may require more liquid or cooking time. Cook according to package instructions, using chicken broth instead of water for more flavor. Add broccoli during the last 7 minutes.
- Condensed Soup: Feel free to make this with my homemade Cream of Chicken Soup instead of a can. Cream of Mushroom can also be used!
- Crispy Fried Onion Tops make a delicious topping on this casserole instead of Ritz as well.
- Frozen Broccoli can be used instead of fresh. Let it thaw and pay it dry.
- Other vegetable options include diced carrots, celery, peas, and green beans.
- Cheese: Shred it from a block if possible, it will melt and taste much better than packaged shredded cheese. Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Yellow Cheese melts very well.
- Other cheese options include cheddar jack, mozzarella, and smoked gouda. A combination of different kinds of these cheeses may also be used.
- For different variations, be sure to try my Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, One Pot Sausage and Rice Casserole, and Ground Beef and Rice Casserole!
Storage
- Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. This freezes and reheats very well, it’s one of my favorite freezer meals!
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Ham Casserole with Broccoli and Rice
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 ¼ cup white long grain rice, uncooked
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 10.75 oz. cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Salt/Pepper, optional
Ritz Cracker Topping
- 1 cup Ritz Crackers, crushed into crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Note: This recipe is designed to allow you to prepare all of the casserole ingredients in one pot before transferring to a casserole dish for baking. Before you begin, refer to your rice package for the amount of liquid (we'll use chicken broth) and cooking time. If preferred, cook the rice separately and skip the broth ingredient. You'll need 3 + 3/4 cups of cooked rice to combine with the other casserole ingredients. I use white long grain rice and the cooking times below work perfectly.
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the diced onions and cook for 5 minutes, until softened.
- Add the chicken broth, olive oil, and rice to the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cover tightly and cook for 8 minutes.
- Add the broccoli, replace the cover, cook for 7 more minutes. Refrain from stirring.
- Note: If liquid remains in the pot and the rice isn't yet cooked through after 15 minutes, cover simmer for up to 5 additional minutes, or until cooked through.
- Remove from heat and leave the cover on. Let the rice sit for 10 minutes. Any rice on the bottom of the pot will release during this time.
- Add the diced ham, condensed soup, sour cream, milk, and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir until well-combined.
- Spread into a lightly greased 9 x 13 casserole dish.
- Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
- Cover and bake for 15 minutes.
- Combine the Ritz cracker crumbs and butter. Spread over the top of the casserole and bake, uncovered, for 10 additional minutes.
- Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes prior to serving.
Notes
- Use white long grain rice, not Instant rice. It has a creamier consistency and better flavor.
- Using Brown or Wild Rice: Other varieties of rice may require more liquid or cooking time. Cook according to package instructions, using chicken broth instead of water for more flavor. Add broccoli during the last 7 minutes.
- Condensed Soup: Feel free to make this with my homemade Cream of Chicken Soup instead of a can. Cream of Mushroom can also be used!
- Crispy Fried Onion Tops make a delicious topping on this casserole instead of Ritz as well.
- Frozen Broccoli can be used instead of fresh. Let it thaw and pay it dry.
- Other vegetable options include diced carrots, celery, peas, and green beans.
- Cheese: Shred it from a block if possible, it will melt and taste much better than packaged shredded cheese. Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Yellow Cheese melts very well.
- Other cheese options include cheddar jack, mozzarella, and smoked gouda. A combination of different kinds of these cheeses may also be used.
- For different variations, be sure to try my Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, One Pot Sausage and Rice Casserole, and Ground Beef and Rice Casserole!
Storage:
- Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. This freezes and reheats very well, it's one of my favorite freezer meals!
Make Ahead Method:
- Assemble as outlined but don't add Ritz topping.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. (You can also freeze it and let it thaw for 24 hours prior to following the remaining steps below.)
- If possible, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to baking.
- Add an additional 25 minutes of covered baking time, until the cheese is melted and the dish is hot. Add Ritz topping and bake for 10-15 more minutes, uncovered.
My husband loved this recipe! I am also a beginner cook so I was so happy I found another go-to easy recipe for the week. I made it without cheese (my husband and cheese don’t agree and he’s kind of allergic) and it was still so tasty . Thanks !
Sounds like you did a great job Christine, nice work!🙌 This is my favorite way to use leftover ham. Thanks so much for the great review!
Made this recipe with leftover Christmas ham. It was fabulous! I cooked the rice separately instead of a one pot meal. I will definitely add this into our rotation.
Such a great use of leftover Christmas ham!😋 I’m happy to hear you’ll be adding this to the rotation Ashley. Thanks so much for the great review!
This turned out really well, one of my wife’s new faves. I threw in a bag of fresh spinach and let it wilt before putting it in the casserole since we’re always looking for ways to add veggies. Really good. Thanks
I’m so happy to hear you and your wife are enjoying the casserole, Steve! One of my favorite things about casseroles is how easy it is to sneak in veggies. Half the time my family doesn’t even realize they are eating broccoli cause it’s so yummy! Thanks so much for the great comments and reivew!❤️
Was short on broccoli so I added some cauliflower to make up the difference.
It’s currently baking in the oven and I can hardly wait …
Great substitution Jeff! I’m excited for you to eat it!
Made this exactly / the recipe and it was fantastic! I thought there would be leftovers for 2 days but five of us finished at the first night! Great way to use up that leftover Christmas ham!
I’m so happy all 5 of you enjoyed the casserole John! I agree, such a great way to use leftover ham!😃 Thanks so much for the great comments and for taking the time to leave a review!
It was absolutely delicious! I followed the recipe exactly and added extra ham and broccoli due to feeding a large crowd of ten! There were some leftovers and several second helpings! Great recipe!
I’m so happy your group of 10 enjoyed this casserole Gail!❤️ Leftovers are so yummy with this one so enjoy! Thanks so much for the great comments and review!
I really preferred this recipe over one using noodles. I followed it exactly and it was perfect. I like that I could cut it, versus scooping a sloppy spoonful! Very tasty. I will make this again next time I have leftover ham.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the casserole! This is one of my most favorite ways to use leftover ham. Thanks so much for the great review!❤️
I was so happy with this recipe. It’s such a good meal and leftovers too.
I highly recommend the recipe. I used ham.
My son in law ate 3 helpings !!! He’s skinny.
I’m so happy to hear that Shelley! I love leftovers with this one. Glad I can help bulk up your son in law!😃 Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Great recipe. Rice needs more water to cook at higher evaluations so adjusted for that. Also did not have cream of chicken soup but had cream of mushroom and was just as good. My husband loved it.
I’m so happy your husband loved it Becky! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and leave a review!❤️
I found this recipe to be a bit dry, I am not sure if I cooked it too long or I should have increased the chicken stock and butter. I would like to try it with chicken next time.
Hi Colleen! Maybe next time use a little more chicken broth/butter like you said, OR, you can add an extra splash of milk/sour cream when you’re mixing everything together. Here is the version of this recipe where I use chicken and broccoli instead of ham if you want to check it out! 🙂