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This Ham and Broccoli Rice Casserole is a leftover ham recipe that puts extra holiday or Sunday ham to good use. Transform your ham into a delicious casserole with frozen broccoli, cooked rice, and cheese, featuring two topping options and make-ahead convenience. This easy dinner gives a delicious second life to your leftovers!
Table of Contents
Leftover Ham Casserole
If you have extra ham after Easter, Christmas, or Sunday dinner, this super easy casserole recipe is a great way to use it up.
With simple pantry ingredients and frozen broccoli, this dish comes together quickly. Great for busy weeknights or make-ahead dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Leftover Ham – This easy leftover ham dinner is a great way to stretch ham from the holidays into a new meal.
- Family-Friendly – Even picky eaters love broccoli when it’s baked with ham, cheese and rice.
- Simple Ingredients – Uses easy pantry staples plus leftover ham.
- Customizable Topping – I made 2 options: A crisp, buttery cracker topping, or try a stuffing mix topping for a heartier casserole.
- Budget-Friendly – Helps make the most of what you already have on hand.
- Freezer-Friendly – Assemble ahead and bake when you need a quick dinner.
Instead of just reheating leftover ham, transform it into a hearty casserole that feels completely different from the original meal.
This leftover ham and broccoli rice bake recipe is a meal in itself, but it will pair well with my Easy Sautéed Green Beans, Air Fryer Carrots, or Blueberry Spinach Salad.
Ingredients in Ham and Broccoli Rice Casserole
For exact amounts, see the recipe card below.
This recipe easily doubles if you want to feed a larger crowd. Just use a 9×13-inch baking dish and adjust baking time as needed.
- Frozen Broccoli Florets
- Leftover Ham
- Cream of Chicken Soup (try my homemade recipe)
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (or Swiss, etc.)
- Cooked Rice
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Cajun Seasoning
- Italian Seasoning
- Dried Thyme Leaves
- Black Pepper
- Chicken Broth (optional)
Topping
- Ritz Crackers
- Unsalted Butter
- Shredded Cheese
Alternate Topping (optional)
- Stove Top Stuffing Mix
- Boiling Water
- Unsalted Butter
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Ham: Leftover ham is ideal, but cooked chicken, turkey, or smoked sausage also work.
- Broccoli: Use thawed frozen broccoli, or fresh broccoli that’s blanched or lightly steamed before adding. Or try green beans.
- Rice: White rice is classic, but cooked brown rice or quinoa can be substituted.
- Cheese: Add extra cheddar or try Swiss, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère for different flavors.
- Cream Soup: Use cream of chicken (try my homemade recipe), cream of mushroom (try my homemade recipe), or a quick homemade cream sauce.
- Topping: Swap breadcrumbs with crushed crackers, cornflakes, or Panko.
Variations:
- Extra Cheesy: Stir in more cheese for a creamier casserole.
- Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
- Lighter Version: Use reduced-fat cheese and lighter cream soup options.
- Vegetarian: Omit ham and use cream of mushroom or cream of celery, vegetable broth, plus extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowl
- Spoon
- 8×8-inch Baking Dish
- Aluminum Foil
How to Make Leftover Ham and Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Prep:
- Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Thaw the frozen broccoli by running under hot water, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Dice the ham.
- Make the Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the diced ham, cream of chicken soup, half of the shredded cheese, cooked rice, seasonings, and chicken broth, if using.
- Fold in the chopped broccoli.
- Spread mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the Topping:
- Crush the Ritz crackers and add them to the bowl. Mix with the remaining shredded cheese and melted butter until well coated.
- Spread cracker topping evenly over the broccoli mixture.
- Bake:
- Cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking uncovered for another 20 minutes.
- Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end for a golden topping.
Make Ahead Instructions
- Assemble Ahead (Unbaked): Prepare the casserole through adding the topping. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove from the fridge, let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then add topping and bake as directed (add 5–10 minutes if needed since it starts cold).
- Freeze for Later: Assemble without baking, wrap tightly in plastic and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
- Bake Ahead & Reheat: You can also bake the casserole fully, let it cool, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat, covered with foil, at 325°F until warmed through (about 20–25 minutes).
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze fully baked portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Oven Reheating: Cover with foil and bake at 325°F for 20–25 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Microwave Reheating: Heat individual servings in 1-minute intervals, stirring between, until hot.
Tip: Sprinkle on a few extra crushed crackers or cheese before reheating in the oven to refresh the topping.
More Recipes Using Leftover Ham
Slow Cooker Ham Barley Vegetable Soup
If you make this easy broccoli rice casserole with leftover ham, please let me know! Just leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d love to hear from you.
Ham and Broccoli Rice Casserole
This Ham and Broccoli Rice Casserole is a cozy dish that uses leftover ham, frozen broccoli, rice, and cheese with a buttery cracker topping. Easy, tasty, and budget-friendly.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- 8"x8" Baking Dish
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
- 13-ounces Frozen Broccoli Florets, thawed (about 3 cups)
- 1 ½ cups Leftover Ham, diced
- 1 10.5-ounce can Cream of Chicken Soup (try my homemade)
- 2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese or Swiss, etc; divided
- 1 cup Cooked Rice
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Dried Thyme Leaves (¼ teaspoon if using ground)
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ cup Chicken Broth (optional, if you like a little sauce)
Topping (See Notes for alternate option)
- 1 sleeve Ritz® Crackers, crushed
- 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
- Remaining Half of the Shredded Cheese (1 cup)
Instructions
Prep
- Spray a 8×8-inch baking dish and set aside. Thaw the broccoli by running under hot water, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Dice the ham.
Make the Filling
- In a bowl, mix together the ham, cream of chicken soup, half of the shredded cheese, rice, seasonings, and chicken broth, if using.
- Fold in the broccoli.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Prepare the Topping
- Crush the Ritz crackers and add them to the same mixing bowl, along with the second half of the shredded cheese, and the melted butter. Stir well to coat all of the crackers.
- Spread the topping evenly over the top of the broccoli mixture.
Bake
- Cover with foil and bake covered, at 350°F, for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for 20 minutes (Broil a few minutes if you want the cracker topping browned. Watch it closely so it dosen’t burn).
Notes
Alternate Stuffing Topping (if you want a heartier casserole):
- 1 6-ounce box Stove Top® Stuffing Mix
- 1 1/2 cups Boiling Water
- 4 Tablespoons Melted Unsalted Butter Mix together in mixing bowl and cover. Let stand about 5 minutes, until stuffing is moistened, then spread over the casserole and bake as directed.
Nutrition
Calories: 385kcal
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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