What the heck is this?
It’s the ultimate leftover glow-up. We’re taking that extra holiday ham (or deli ham, no judgment), tossing it with fluffy rice, tender broccoli, and creamy, cheesy goodness, and baking it into the kind of casserole that makes you feel like someone’s grandma just gave you a hug. It’s easy, it’s satisfying, and it’s got that cozy “I made this with love (but also zero stress)” energy.
Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, potlucks, or any time you want to feed your soul and your fridge at the same time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✓ Cheesy, creamy, bubbly perfection
✓ A+ way to use up leftover ham
✓ Kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, basically friend to all
✓ Sneaks in some green veg (go broccoli!)
✓ No fancy stuff — just pantry heroes and comfort vibes
The Stuff You’ll Need
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, whatever ya got)
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen!)
- 1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup milk (to thin the sauce a little)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt + pepper to taste
- Optional: crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs for topping
- Optional: extra cheese because… why not?
Let’s Get Cozy
- Preheat + Prep
Heat that oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Stretch, hydrate, maybe dance around a bit. You’re about to build a casserole. - Mix It All Up
In a big bowl, stir together the cooked rice, diced ham, broccoli, soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy — give it a good mix until everything’s cozy. - Load the Dish
Spread the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with a little extra cheese on top if you’re feelin’ wild, or add a crunchy topping like crushed crackers or breadcrumbs for that classic casserole finish. - Bake It Up
Pop it in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, until hot, bubbly, and golden on top. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving (if you can wait).
Serving Suggestions
• A crisp green salad on the side = balance
• Garlic bread? Always a good idea
• Add hot sauce or a drizzle of ranch for bonus flavor points
• Serve it in a bowl with a spoon and a fuzzy blanket — just saying
Switch It Up
• Sub cauliflower rice if you’re low-carb-ing it
• Add sautéed onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra veggie power
• Use a different cheese — Gruyère or Swiss would be chef’s kiss
• Want it spicier? Stir in a little diced jalapeño or cayenne
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yep! Assemble it and stash it in the fridge up to a day ahead. Add 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold when it goes in.
Q: Can I freeze it?
A: You bet! Wrap it up tight, freeze for up to 2 months, then bake from frozen (or thaw first to save time).
Q: Can I use different meat?
A: Totally. Turkey, rotisserie chicken, even bacon bits — it all works.
Ham Casserole with Broccoli and Rice
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Description
It’s the ultimate leftover glow-up. We’re taking that extra holiday ham (or deli ham, no judgment), tossing it with fluffy rice, tender broccoli, and creamy, cheesy goodness, and baking it into the kind of casserole that makes you feel like someone’s grandma just gave you a hug. It’s easy, it’s satisfying, and it’s got that cozy “I made this with love (but also zero stress)” energy.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, whatever ya got)
2 cups cooked ham, diced
2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen!)
1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
½ cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup milk (to thin the sauce a little)
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt + pepper to taste
Optional: crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs for topping
Optional: extra cheese because… why not?
Instructions
Preheat + Prep
Heat that oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Stretch, hydrate, maybe dance around a bit. You’re about to build a casserole.Mix It All Up
In a big bowl, stir together the cooked rice, diced ham, broccoli, soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy — give it a good mix until everything’s cozy.Load the Dish
Spread the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with a little extra cheese on top if you’re feelin’ wild, or add a crunchy topping like crushed crackers or breadcrumbs for that classic casserole finish.Bake It Up
Pop it in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, until hot, bubbly, and golden on top. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving (if you can wait).
Notes
Sub cauliflower rice if you’re low-carb-ing it
• Add sautéed onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra veggie power
• Use a different cheese — Gruyère or Swiss would be chef’s kiss
• Want it spicier? Stir in a little diced jalapeño or cayenne
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~420 per serving
- Protein: ~23g