My husband and daughter really love ham. Like really love ham. My daughter calls ham the perfect food since you can eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even brunch! I love it mainly because it is fairly inexpensive and versatile. But before this recipe, I wasn’t really excited about a ham casserole. But this leftover ham and rice casserole is so delicious and filling that it has become a favorite of everyone’s! And you’ll enjoy making it again and again because it doesn’t need any special ingredients!
Leftover Ham Recipe
After Christmas and Easter, there is inevitably some ham leftovers. I adore leftovers. Half the work is all ready done! So next holiday, when you see those ham leftovers languishing in your fridge: rejoice!! Dinner is already prepped for you! You have multiple options. But this simple leftover ham and rice casserole will be first in line.
Simple Ham Casserole Without Brocolli
And while most adults enjoy some brocolli in their casserole, kids are not so quick to enjoy it. But thankfully, this ham casserole does not require any brocolli and is still quite filling!
How to Use Up Ham Leftovers
After serving ham for your holiday dinner or Sunday meal, go ahead and dice up the ham. I like to dice up 3 cups to have on hand for this meal, and portion off in a baggie. That way no one eats my leftovers that I want to use for my casserole! You can even store the leftover ham in a freezer bag and place in freezer to keep for a week or so before you are ready to use.
If you have a bigger family, you can easily double this recipe. Or you can just add more rice to make your ham go further! The ham casserole recipe makes a nice 13 by 9 inch casserole, but you’ll find that people typically come back for a second helping. So plan ahead!
Easy Leftover Ham and Rice Casserole
When you are ready to make your leftover ham and rice casserole, pull your ham out of the fridge. Go ahead and cook your rice. Two cups of water with one cup of uncooked rice will give you plenty of cooked rice for this recipe.
While the rice is cooking, dice up your onion and cook in a little butter on skillet. Adding the onion already sautéed in butter adds a nice flavor to this casserole. If you are in a hurry, you can just add the diced uncooked onions.
In a mixing bowl, mix your evaporated milk and cream of chicken soup. Add your diced ham, sautéed onion, cheddar cheese, evaporated milk and can of cream of chicken (or cream of celery). Stir together. Add your cooked rice. Then mix all together. Spread into a buttered baking dish and place in a 350 degree oven.
While the casserole is cooking, it is time to make the yummy topping. Do not skip this part! Melt the butter in a microwaveable measuring cup or dish. Crush up the crackers, which you can easily do while the crackers are in the wrapper. Pour the crush crackers into the melted butter and stir to coat.
Once the casserole has baked for 15 minutes, pull the dish out of the oven. Stir the cheesy ham casserole. Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbles over the top of the casserole. Return the casserole to the oven for another 10 minutes.
Keep an eye on the casserole. You want your casserole to be nice and hot and the cracker topping crispy. But you don’t want to overcook your casserole and dry it out!
Serve your leftover ham and rice casserole with a side of fruit and a salad or veggie. Enjoy!
Ham And Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 1 13 by 9 inch casserole dish
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced cooked ham
- 2 1/4 cups cooked rice
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 can cream of chicken (or celery) soup
- 4 tbsp diced onion sautéed in butter
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 sleeve round crackers (like Ritz)
Instructions
- Add 2 cups of water to small pot. Add 1 cup of uncooked rice. Follow instructions to cook.
- While rice is cooking, chop up onions. Sautee diced onions in small saucepan in butter for 3-4 minutes.
- Preheat over to 350.
- In big mixing bowl, mix evaporated milk and can of cream of chicken soup.
- Add diced ham, sauteed onions, shredded cheese, and cooked rice to milk and soup mixture. Stir together.
- Spray 13 by 9 inch casserole dish with non-stick spray or butter. Pour in ham mixture.
- Cook in 350 oven for 25 minutes.
- While casserole is cooking. Melt butter in a large measuring cup. Crush up crackers and stir in crackers to coat.
- After 15 minutes of cooking, remove casserole from oven and stir. Sprinkle butters crushed crackers onto casserole. Cook remaining 10 minutes.
