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.
This is my 2nd time making this. It’s sooo good. It’s in my oven now…looking forward to it. I also used sharp cheese.
Yessss! I’m so happy you’re enjoying this one, thanks so much for the great review!💗
My husband and teenage son enjoyed this cassarole. I had a lot of ham leftover so this was perfect. My hubby and son aren’t fans of broccoli, so I used spinach instead.
It was a HIT!
I’m so happy to hear that Christine! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!😃
This is a keeper. Will definitely go in my rotation. I added extra onion, and broccoli. And did use sharp cheddar and a little extra of that too. It turned out really good! My two and seven year old and dad loved it! It’s a really filling dish and could see this being good on chilly days. And for potlucks. Thanks 😊
This is one of my favorites for potlucks and using leftover ham. I’m so happy this was such a hit with your family Nicolette, thanks so much for the great comments and review!💗
Just made this and it was excellent! I did use sharp cheddar because I don’t see the point of anything else! It melted fine and husband loved it.
I’m so happy you liked the casserole Linda! lol, I share your love for sharp cheddar! Thanks so much for the great comments and review!❤️
The one pot version is a blessing! Yummy stuff.
Yayy! I have the same love as you do for one pots, such a life saver! Thanks so much for the great comments and review!😃
This was a huge hit with my husband and daughter. We used leftover Honey Baked Ham and made the recipe as written. I added a little tabasco on mine and that was good too.
I’m so happy you were able to make great use of your leftover honey baked ham Jessica! A little tobasco sounds perfect, thanks so much for the great comments and review!❤️
I had already minced my leftover ham. Can this be used instead of the required diced ham?
Thank you
Sure, that should be just fine Kathleen! 🙂
Thanks so much. I’ll let you know how it turns out
You’re very welcome! Enjoy!❤️
I had a bunch of ham left from Easter and this is really the only recipe I found that wasn’t a soup. This was so good! I do think next time I make it I’ll add some corn along with the broccoli. This reminds me of something I would serve after a good snow day! Very filling and delicious. Bookmarked for the future!
I’m so happy you were able to use your leftover ham on this one Shantel! I agree, you can’t beat the coziness on a cold snowy day. Thanks so much for the great comments and review!😀
Can I use brown rice instead of white? I don’t have white!
It might require more liquid (chicken broth), and cooking time, so refer to the package instructions for guidance on that! 🙂
I made it with brown rice cooked in the chicken broth. It was still delicious!
Hi Sandra! That’s great to hear! Brown rice typically needs 30 to 35 minutes to cook, (vs 15-20 for white), did you cook it longer? (More or less something for others to keep in mind!) I’m so glad it worked out! ❤️🙌🏻
Had about 20 minutes to make dinner before leaving the house for kids activities and left over ham from Easter. Threw this together and had it ready when we go home! Great recipe..will definitely keep in rotation. And my family loved it!
I’m so glad you were able to make this a quick family dinner Kaeti! I love how easy this one is to throw together! Thanks so much for the great comments and for taking the time to leave a review!❤️