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.
I had leftover ham from Thanksgiving that I had previously frozen. Was time to do something with it. I tried this method. I probably used three cups of diced ham instead of two. I had a leftover half bar of cream cheese I threw in there. Used the French’s fried onion rings on top with leftover bacon bits… Holy Cow! That was unbelievable! Highly recommend the extra ingredients!
Thanks for sharing Bruce. I love the use of Fried Onion Rings for the top, yummmm! 😋
It’s a stormy night in Ga with plenty of leftover ham. This was perfect. A little labor/time intensive but worth it. And leftovers. Thanks!
I’m feeling the cozy vibes over in Georgia Peggy!💖 Thanks so much for the great comments!
loved it as did family only think different use pepperjack cheese thats all i had.flavors were great
I’m so happy the family enjoyed it Deborah! My husband is obsessed with pepperjack, I’m sure he’d love it with that. Thanks so much for the great review!💗
Outstanding! The flavor of the ham is so apparent and the broccoli makes for a great addition!
Thanks so much Kaitlyn, I’m so happy you enjoyed the casserole!💖
Made this with leftover Christmas ham. I did minute rice, steamed rice in microwave, and then mixed everything. It was so quick! My kids LOVED it!! It will definitely be part of our menu rotation now. Thanks!
You’re very welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed this with minute rice, saves even more time, and most importantly the kids loved it! Nice work and thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💖
LOVE this recipe!!! I forgot to cover it when I baked it but still was great.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Ruth, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💖
I am making this tonight. Kind of confused on the rice. The Ingredients say 1 1/4 cups but your instructions say 3 +3/4 cups. Can you please specify? Thank you.
Hi Haley, it says 1 1/4 cups uncooked rice. If you make this with cooked rice, that equates to 3 3/4 cups.
I’ve made this recipe twice now. Both times the rice was. Not cooked all the way. Other than that it was delicious.
Hi Jen! This recipe mirrors the cooking instructions that you would find on a package of rice, it just uses chicken broth instead of water for more flavor. To properly cook rice, you need a tight fitting lid and you need to make sure you’re simmering it at the right temperature. If heat is escaping or your temp is too low, the rice won’t be cooked through. I would practice making a pot of rice and once you have that nailed down, you’ll enjoy this recipe! 🙂
This was amazing!!!! I made it with leftover ham and the leftover broccoli from our veggie tray. Will definitely make again!!!
I’m so happy! This is definitely one of my favorites for leftover ham! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it! -Stephanie
Sooo delicious on a cold winter night!! First casserole I’ve ever made and certainly not my last. I used leftover ham from Christmas dinner and we loved this!
Hi Abbey! I am so happy that you enjoyed this casserole! It’s definitely one of my personal favorites, I might be making it myself later today! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! -Stephanie