This Ham Casserole is loaded with cheesy, creamy rice and perfectly cooked broccoli. It’s an easy make-ahead dinner that can be prepared 2 days ahead of time and even works as a one pot meal!
In need of recipes for leftover ham? Try these next!
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole |Ham and Potato Soup | Split Pea Soup | Ham and Bean Soup | Ham Soup | Hawaiian Pizza
Here are the major perks about this Ham Casserole Recipe:
- Prepare and assemble it up to two days ahead of time. I like to prepare it on a Sunday morning and pop it in the oven later that night (or even the next day!)
- Easily make it as a one pot meal.
- It’s a great recipe for leftover ham.
- A variety of vegetables work great in here.
- Your entire family will absolutely love it.
One Pot Version
Here’s how you can skip casserole dish and cook this as a one pot meal:
- Cook the rice for 18 minutes instead of 15.
- Add the broccoli to the rice during the last 7 minutes of cooking and replace the lid.
- Stir in casserole ingredients as instructed until well-combined.
- Top with cheese, close the lid for 10 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted.
- Serve, or:
- Top with Ritz cracker mix and bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.
Using Brown or Wild Rice
These varieties take longer to cook and requires more liquid than white long grain rice.
- Refer to the package for the required amount of liquid and cooking time and adjust the amount of chicken broth that you use per package instructions.
Make-Ahead Method
Refrigerator: This ham casserole can be prepared up to two days ahead of time.
- Assemble as outline (don’t add Ritz topping).
- Cover the casserole with foil and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Add an additional 15 minutes of covered baking time.
Freezer:
- Assemble the casserole as outlined and do not bake. Let it thaw for 24 hours in the fridge.
- Add 10 minutes of covered baking time.
Using Frozen Broccoli
–2 cups of frozen broccoli (and/or cauliflower) can also be used. Just be sure you thaw and pat it dry!
-Frozen broccoli is already blanched so you don’t need to cook it prior to mixing the casserole together.
More Pro Tips
- Use white long grain rice, not Instant rice. It has a creamier consistency and better flavor.
- Use reduced sodium ingredients (unsalted butter & low-sodium chicken broth, etc.).
- Crispy Fried Onion Tops make a delicious topping on this casserole instead of Ritz as well.
- Other vegetable options include diced carrots, celery, peas, and green beans.
- Other cheese options include cheddar jack, mozzarella, and smoked gouda. A combination of different kinds of these cheeses may also be used. Avoid extra sharp or aged cheeses as they won’t melt as well.
- If you’d like to use chicken instead of ham, check out my instructions for that in this recipe.
Storage
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- This casserole is a great meal to freeze and is best if used within 3 months of freezing.
- I often reheat frozen lunch-sized portions in the microwave from a frozen state. If possible, I’ll also bake it 350 degree oven at the end to crisp up the top.
Try These Next
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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 cups shredded cheddar cheese, separated
- 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 7 minutes.
- Add the broccoli, replace the cover, cook for 8 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.
- Turn off heat, leave the cover on. Let the rice stand 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
Using frozen broccoli instead of fresh:
I love the way this comes out with fresh broccoli, but if necessary, frozen broccoli may be used instead. Be sure to let it thaw and pat it dry prior to adding it to the mixture.Using Brown or Wild Rice These varieties take longer to cook and requires more liquid than white long grain rice.
- Refer to the package for the required amount of liquid and cooking time and adjust the amount of chicken broth that you use per package instructions.
One Pot Method (vs. casserole-style):
- Cook the rice for 18 minutes instead of 15.
- Add the broccoli to the rice during the last 7 minutes of steaming and close the lid to allow it to cook.
- Combine casserole ingredients as instructed, top with cheese. Close the lid to let it melt and serve.
Be sure to check out my ham and ground beef rice casseroles next!
This sounds wonderful, but I have no sour cream. Can plain yogurt be substituted or do you have another suggestion?
Hi Gina! Plain yogurt is the best substitute!! You’re good to go!!
Made it for dinner last night & it was delicious! Great way to use up leftover ham.
Hey Jenni! Excellent, I’m SO happy to hear that! Thank you so so much for taking the time to leave a comment and a review, you’re the best!! -Stephanie
I made this last night with left over ham (diced). It was deliicious, it will be my go to casserole for left over ham now. Didn’t have Ritz crackers so used Keebler butter crackers.
Hi Carol! I’m so happy to hear that! I actually had this for lunch today from a little freezer stash that I have! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, I really appreciate it! -Stephanie
This recipe looks amazing! Any idea of how you would adjust this if using frozen cauliflower rice?
Hey JoAnn! I haven’t cooked with cauliflower rice before but I would cook it separately so that you end up with two cups. You can omit the chicken broth step and just combine that cooked rice with the remaining ingredients and bake! 🙂 You’ll want to steam the broccoli for 7 minutes separately as well.
I made this with leftover ham from Easter it was delish. I used cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken. I already had left over sticky rice made in a rice cooker with chicken broth already, from dinner. I added a pinch of nutmeg . Oh and I doubled the onion and the cheese of course lol
Sounds wonderful Mary, you made me
Hungry! Thank you so much for sharing your variations and for taking the time to comment and rate! 🙌🏻
We made this casserole last night with leftover ham and it was great. Everyone had seconds. Would recommend this recipe.
Hey Cheryl! I’m sooo happy to hear that you enjoyed this ham casserole, it’s always so great to see the family go back for seconds! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it! -Stephanie
Can you substitute something for the cream of chicken soup.. I don’t have any on hand!
Thanks 🙂
Hi Theresa! Do you have any similar creamy soups on hand?
Can this be prepped and frozen? Maybe thawed and topping added before baking
Hey Ashley!! Yes you absolutely can and that’d be the best way to do it!! 🙌🏻
Followed this recipe for last nights dinner after wondering how I’m going to use up all the leftover ham and let me tell you… AMAZING!!!! I did make a few changes to the dish but, my whole house loved the finish product! I used biscuits instead of the ritz cracker crust and added some peas. Made the homemade cream of chicken soup… perfect flavors.
Love the variations you made!! So happy you enjoyed it and thanks for leaving a review my friend! You’re the best!
Loved it! Turned out perfectly by following the directions completely. Didn’t improvise anything.
That is sooo great to hear!! As I’m writing this I’m also eating it, haha! I made it tonight and am back for seconds! (Typical.) 🙌🏻