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.
Love this recipe! Wouldn’t change anything!
Wahooo! That’s so great to hear Kathleen, thanks so much for the great review!💖
Will this freeze well? I want to make this to put straight to the freezer, would you prepare everything and cook according to the recipe and be okay to freeze or should I mix everything together and bake at another time?
Hi Rae!! This freezes and reheats extremely well, so you are good to prepare, bake, let cool, and freeze!
I forgot to add to my question I only have minute rice on hand would you half the amount of rice?
Hi Rae, I recommend using white long grain rice if possible, it holds up much better than minute rice, especially if you are planning on freezing it. That said, I’ve had people successfully make it with minute rice. I wouldn’t use half the amount though 🙂
This will definitely be our dinner after our movie this Wednesday. Looking for ways to use up my leftover ham. Sounds so yummy.
That’s great Shery! I can’t wait for you to make it!
Amazing!! The best! I shredded slices of Italian bread for the topping and melted butter and added Parmesan to mix in with topping.
Yummm, nice job Tricia! I’m so happy you liked it, thanks so much for the great comments and review💖
I’m loving this and I haven’t even baked it off yet. Just the taste of it all blended I knew it would be great. I did add salt, pepper, a little left over turkey, and 3/4 c of my ham gravy and it gave it a stronger yummy ham flavor. Dont forget to Chop your brocolli heads into bite sizes if using frozen.
I’m so happy so far so good Jennifer! Enjoy!💕
I had company to try this recipe. We all loved it and she wanted the recipe too. Great to share!
Thanks so much for the great comments and review Holly, I’m so happy you all loved this casserole!💖
Love this!
I’m so happy to hear that Stacy!!! 🙂
Going to make this tomorrow with leftover ham.😋
Great Lisa! I’d love to know how it goes! I love making this with leftover ham! 🙂
O.m.g. This is the best recipe!! Everything came out great and it is delicious. The instructions were perfectly easy to follow and I had no problems . Thank you for this great recipe! Will be making it again! My husband loved it.
I am SOO happy to hear that! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!!
Delicious & easy! Even my husband who is notorious for not liking casseroles loves this. We made it to use up leftover ham from Christmas.
Such a great use of leftover Christmas Ham, nice work Emilee! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!😃