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.
Outstanding!!!!!
Excellent!! I’m so happy that you loved it Sharon! Thank you so much! 🙂
Took to a potluck dinner and got rave reviews. It was a hit!
I am so happy to hear that Ellen! This is definitely an excellent potluck recipe, nicely done- thank you so much for the review!! 🙂 -Stephanie
It was excellent. My casserole hating hubby really liked it.
I’m so happy the hubby liked it, nice work! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!😃
My family and I loved this! I did have to modify a little. I didn’t have celery salt or onion powder for the cream of chicken soup so I added about 1/4 cup of diced onion and celery to the butter and let it cook for about 5 min. I did have to add a bit more salt but it tasted great! I also didn’t have any sour cream so I used one cup of milk mixed with vinegar to make it buttermilk, taste and consistency turned weren’t affected. Thank you so much for the recipe!
Nice work tweaking it Laura, I’m so happy it was a hit! Thanks so much for the review!❤️
I’d love to see a version of this recipe without the canned soup. I never buy them.
Make a cream sauce? More sour cream and or mayo?
Hi Jean! If you tap on the cream of chicken soup ingredient it goes right out to my homemade version, which is absolutely delicious 🙂 https://thecozycook.com/cream-of-chicken-soup-recipe/
This was a perfectly delicious way to use leftover holiday ham. It came together just as written and I added sliced carrots with the broccoli to the mix for even more veg goodness. This is wonderful comfort food.
I’m so happy it was such a success Lisa, nice work! It’s definitely an easy one to add your favorite veggies too. Thanks so much for the great comments and review!❤️
Made this tonight. Followed the recipe as written. Easy and delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
You’re very welcome Patty, I’m so happy you enjoyed the casserole. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!❤️
Can I sub the rice out for hash browns ?
Hi Sarah! I haven’t tested it with hashbrowns instead of rice. ❤️ If you do, you won’t need any chicken broth as that’s only used to cook the rice.
Hello,
If I split the recipe into two 8×8 pans, can I freeze one for later use. We are only two people so the larger dish is to much for us.
Thank you
Hi! You can absolutely freeze one of them, this is a great freezer meal. Just thaw it completely prior to baking and add 10 minutes to the covered baking time. Be sure to save the Ritz cracker topping for when you’re ready to serve (vs. adding it on top and freezing it). Enjoy!!
Hi! I have brown rice instead of white. Would this be okay in the recipe? Or would it not cook as well?
Hi Jamie! Brown rice typically has different cooking times/liquid requirements than white. I would refer to the package and prepare it as outlined there. I would just cook it in chicken broth instead of water for more flavor. Make sure it’s cooked through before you combine it with the other casserole ingredients. Enjoy!