Dinner doesn’t get more comforting—or convenient—than this Hearty Ham Broccoli Rice Casserole. It’s got everything you need for an easy weeknight meal: tender rice, savory ham, crisp broccoli, and plenty of melty cheese, all tucked beneath a buttery stuffing topping. Perfect to prep now and bake later for a no-stress family dinner!
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Casseroles are the ultimate family dinner—warm, filling, and ready when you are. I grew up on them, and once I became a mom, they quickly became part of our weekly rotation. This easy ham casserole is one of the most requested in our house—and definitely a make-ahead must.
It’s rich, creamy, and packed with all the comfort-food favorites: melty cheese, savory ham, fluffy rice, and crisp broccoli, all baked under a cozy stuffing topping. It’s the kind of dish you can prep ahead, stash in the fridge, and pop in the oven when you’re ready!
Looking for more casseroles to keep in your weeknight rotation? Try this Chile Relleno Casserole, Southwest Tater Tot Casserole, or Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole next!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic Comfort Combo: Ham, broccoli, rice, and cheese come together in one hearty, family-friendly casserole that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
- Quick and Easy: Made with easy-to-find ingredients and ready in under an hour—it’s perfect to prep for busy weeknights.
- All-in-One Meal: No need for extra sides! This ham casserole recipe covers it all—protein, veggies, and carbs in every bite.
Ingredients
- Butter and Oil: These add richness while helping to soften the onions and crisp up the stuffing topping. They also prevent the ingredients from sticking during the cooking process.
- Onions and Broccoli: Onions add a savory, slightly sweet base once sautéed, while broccoli brings color, nutrients, and a distinct, earthy bite. Swap for frozen mixed vegetables, diced bell peppers, mushrooms or corn, if you prefer.
- Broth and Soup: Chicken broth adds moisture and depth, while cream of chicken soup thickens the casserole and brings that classic creamy texture.
- Rice: The hearty base of the ham casserole recipe. White rice is most commonly used, but feel free to use any variety you like—brown, jasmine, or wild rice all work well but may require a bit more liquid and longer cooking time.
- Ham Steak: The main source of protein that gives the casserole its signature flavor. This is one of the best leftover ham recipes to make after the holidays or a big family dinner—but cooked chicken or turkey works just as well.
- Dairy Mix-Ins: Whole milk adds creaminess, sour cream brings a subtle tang, and sharp cheddar cheese melts beautifully into the dish for that signature, cheesy finish.
- Stove Top Stuffing Mix: More than just a topping—it adds crunch, flavor, and helps soak up extra moisture while baking.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Turn Up the Spice: Add red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce for a little extra heat.
- Soup Du Jour: Swap in cream of mushroom, celery, or broccoli soup to change up the flavor without losing that creamy base.
- Change the Cheese: Not feeling cheddar? Try mozzarella, pepper jack, or a cheese blend for a different melty, savory texture.
- Go Low-Carb: Lighten up this ham and broccoli casserole by swapping the white rice for cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles—same comfort, fewer carbs.
How to Make Ham Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Putting this ham broccoli rice casserole together is a breeze for any skill level—just a little sautéing, some mixing, and the oven takes care of the rest. Preheat your oven to 350°F, grease a 9×13 casserole dish, preheat a large saucepan over medium heat, gather your ingredients, and let’s get started:
- Step 1: Sauté the Base. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onions for 4–5 minutes, until soft and fragrant. Stir in the chicken broth and rice, then cook for 10 minutes to start building the base.
- Step 2: Mix it All Together. Add the broccoli and continue cooking for 8 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, mix in the diced ham, milk, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and shredded cheese until everything is evenly combined.
- Step 3: Layer the Casserole. Transfer the mixture to the greased 9×13 baking dish and spread it out in an even layer.
- Step 4: Top with Stuffing and Bake. Combine the dry stuffing mix with the melted butter in a medium bowl, then spoon it over the top of the casserole. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Keep the leftover ham casserole fresh by storing the casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the fully cooled dish in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. You can also freeze it unbaked—just wrap it tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
- Reheating: To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge (if frozen), place the casserole in a covered baking dish, and warm it at 350°F until heated through. For individual portions, microwave in 30-second intervals until hot.
- Make-Ahead: Want to prep in advance? Mix everything together, cover, and refrigerate the unbaked casserole for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, just remove from the fridge to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, add the stuffing topping and bake as directed!
Serving Suggestions
Looking to spice up those weeknight meals? This hearty ham rice broccoli casserole is a full meal on its own, but if you’re feeding a crowd or want to round things out, here are a few simple and tasty ways to plate it up:
- Top with a drizzle of hot sauce for a spicy kick, and garnish with chopped chives, parsley, or green onions for a pop of color and freshness. A crisp green salad on the side adds balance and a little extra nutrition.
- Want something to scoop up all that cheesy goodness? Pair it with French bread pizza, jalapeño monkey bread, or Olive Garden breadsticks.
- Cap off the meal with something sweet and fruity like blackberry cheesecake bars, raspberry pretzel salad, or cherry surprise.
Expert Tips
- Cover Tightly: Make sure to cover the ham broccoli and rice casserole dish tightly with foil before baking. This traps steam and helps keep the casserole moist and creamy.
- Grease Well: A light coat of non-stick spray is most effective, but butter works too—just be sure every corner is covered to prevent sticking.
- No Dry Topping: Thoroughly mix the stuffing with melted butter so every inch of the topping gets crispy.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole sit for 5–10 minutes after baking. This makes it easier to spoon and serve.
Recipe FAQs
Definitely! Just thaw and drain it first to avoid extra moisture in the ham broccoli rice casserole. If you’re short on time, steam it slightly before adding so it finishes cooking in the oven.
Yes you can! Just skip the step cooking it on the stovetop and stir it in with the rest of the ingredients before baking. You may also want to reduce the broth slightly since the rice won’t absorb as much liquid in the cooking process.
Try This Easy Ham Casserole with Rice & Broccoli
This ham and rice casserole is hearty, creamy, cheesy, and so easy to make! It’s the perfect hearty family meal for any day of the week, and it’s also a great addition to any potluck. Give this recipe a try. Once you see for yourself how quick, easy, and delicious it is, I know you’ll make it a permanent part of your recipe rotation.
More Delicious Comfort Food Recipes
This Southwest Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and delicious ground beef recipe with corn, black beans, diced green chilies, cheese, tater tots, and more. A delicious casserole recipe that is easy to make and a family favorite easy dinner recipe.
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Ham and Broccoli Casserole with Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 cup onions, finely diced
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 2 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 2 cups ham steak, diced into small pieces
- 1 cup milk
- 10.5 ounce cream chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 6 ounce box stove top stuffing mix
- 2 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Add butter and oil to a large saucepan. Melt over medium heat and add onions.
- Saute onions for 4-5 minutes, add chicken broth and rice. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add broccoli, stir and cover and cook for an additional 8 minutes.
- Add diced ham, milk, soup, sour cream and cheese. Stir.
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish.
- Spread in an even layer.
- In a medium bowl, add dry stuffing only into the bowl.
- Add melted butter, stir to combine and spoon on top of rice mixture.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes or until hot.
Notes
- Cover tightly with foil before baking to trap steam and keep the casserole moist and creamy.
- Grease the dish well with non-stick spray or butter, making sure to coat every corner to prevent sticking.
- Mix stuffing thoroughly with melted butter to ensure a crispy, golden topping.
