• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me

Beyond The Chicken Coop logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me
×
Home » Main Dish

Published: Dec 26, 2020 · Modified: Aug 15, 2024 by Kathy

Ham and Rice Casserole

Jump to Recipe

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.

A rice casserole with ham and peas on a white plate.

A perfect casserole with a creamy sauce with rice, ham and peas makes a delicious dinner dish.

This ham and rice casserole is a perfect recipe for using up leftover ham.

A plate filled with a rice and ham casserole with a green salad next to the casserole.

A delicious casserole

This ham and rice casserole is such a delicious dish! It's filled with rice, ham and peas all wrapped up in a creamy sauce and topped with a crunchy parmesan topping. Use leftover ham, or purchase a ham just for making this dish.

This ham casserole is very similar to my chicken and rice casserole and it also reminds me of ham tetrazzini. However, you could eat each of these casseroles three days in a row and you wouldn't feel like you ate the same thing. They are different enough for each to be their own.

A rice casserole with ham and peas on a white plate.

Key ingredients

  • Rice - I used long grain rice, but you could also use jasmine rice, brown rice or a wild rice mix. Pre Cook your rice prior to adding to casserole.
  • Ham - Cut into small cubes. This is perfect for using leftover ham.
  • Peas - Frozen peas work great in this dish
  • Parmesan Cheese - It's mixed into the sauce and added to the topping
  • Panko Bread Crumbs - Gives the topping a bit of an extra crunch
  • Chicken Broth - Homemade or store bought
  • Milk - Helps make the sauce rich and creamy
Small bowls filled with frozen peas, ham, rice, bread crumbs and seasonings.

Step by step directions

  • Place butter and flour together in a pan over medium heat. Stir for 1-2 minutes
  • Whisk in chicken broth and milk. Continue whisking until mixture begins to thicke
Flour and melted butter in a sauce pan.
  • Add sherry, dijon, pepper and ¼ cup of parmesan cheese. Whisk until fully combined.
  • Turn off heat and add chopped ham, peas and rice. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
A white sauce with rice, peas and ham in a pan.
  • Place in a greased casserole dish (I used an 11 x 7 inch dish)
  • Make the topping by placing panko crumbs, melted butter and remaining parmesan in a bowl. Stir just until combined.
  • Sprinkle topping over casserole
An unbaked casserole topped with panko bread crumbs in a glass baking dish.
  • Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes until browned and bubbly
  • Let rest for 10 minutes before serving

Substitutions and Variations

  • Use leftover turkey or chicken in place of the ham
  • Add steamed broccoli or cooked asparagus instead of the peas
  • If you like a creamier casserole, increase the flour to ⅓ cup and increase the milk to 2 cups of milk
  • Add chopped garlic along with the butter and flour at the beginning
  • Sautee mushrooms and add along with the peas
A baked casserole with a golden topping in a glass dish.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make ahead of time?

Yes, this casserole can be made ahead of time. When all ingredients have been added to the casserole dish, cover and refrigerate. To bake, remove covering and bake as directed. Increase baking time by 10-15 minutes.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes, this ham casserole can be frozen either prior to baking or after fully baked. If unbaked, thaw first and then bake according to directions. If fully baked prior to freezing, allow casserole to fully thaw. Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes until heated through.

More leftover ham recipes

If you have leftover ham, you'll also want to try these recipes:

  • Ham and Bean Soup
  • Fried Rice with Ham
  • Ham and Pea Pasta
  • Ham and Cheese Biscuits
  • Ham and Scalloped Potatoes
  • Baked Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
  • Ham and Cheese Strata
Ham, rice and pea casserole on a plate with a salad.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

More main dish recipes

  • A ladle filled with crock pot spaghetti sauce.
    Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce
  • Baked Flatbread Pizza topped with mushrooms, pepperoni, and olives.
    Flatbread Pizza
  • Pecan Crusted Chicken breast on a white plate with a salad.
    Pecan Crusted Chicken
  • Wedges of Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas on a white piece of parchment paper.
    Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
A plate filled with a rice and ham casserole with a green salad next to the casserole.

Ham and Rice Casserole

Kathy Berget
A creamy casserole made with rice, ham and peas and topped with a crunchy panko topping.
5 from 69 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Resting time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 510 kcal

Equipment

  • 9 x 13" Baking Dish
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

Casserole

  • 3 cups cooked rice
  • 3 cups ham (cubed)
  • 1 ½ cups frozen peas
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth (I use broth with no added salt)
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon sherry (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Topping

  • ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon butter (melted)

Instructions
 

Casserole

  • Place butter and flour together in a pan over medium heat. Stir for 1-2 minutes
    ¼ cup butter, ¼ cup flour
  • Whisk in chicken broth and milk. Continue whisking until mixture begins to thicken
    1 cup chicken broth, 1 ½ cups milk
  • Add sherry, dijon, pepper, nutmeg and ¼ cup of parmesan cheese. Whisk until fully combined.
    1 tablespoon sherry, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, ¼ teaspoon ground pepper, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • Turn off heat and add chopped ham, peas and rice. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
    3 cups ham, 1 ½ cups frozen peas, 3 cups cooked rice
  • Place in a greased casserole dish (I used an 11 x 7 inch dish)

Topping

  • Add panko crumbs, melted butter and remaining parmesan in a bowl. Stir just until combined.
    ¾ cup panko bread crumbs, ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon butter
  • Sprinkle topping over casserole
  • Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes until browned and bubbly
  • Let rest for 10 minutes before serving

Notes

  • Salt has not been added to this recipe. The ham and parmesan cheese add a lot of salt to the dish. Taste mixture before adding to casserole dish and add salt if you think it's needed.
  • If you like a creamier casserole, increase the flour to ⅓ cup and increase the milk to 2 cups of milk
  • To make ahead of time, cover and refrigerate casserole dish after assembled. To bake, remove covering and bake as directed. Increase baking time by 10-15 minutes.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cupsCalories: 510kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 26gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 1285mgPotassium: 443mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 736IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 208mgIron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

More Main Dish

  • Creamy Tuscan Chicken with spinach and tomatoes on a white plate.
    Creamy Tuscan Chicken
  • Easy baked spaghetti casserole in a white baking dish.
    Baked Spaghetti
  • A steak quesadilla cut into wedges and stacked on a wooden board.
    Steak Quesadilla
  • Sheet Pan Shrimp with butter, garlic, parsley and lemon.
    Sheet Pan Shrimp

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharon says

    May 05, 2024 at 1:34 pm

    5 stars
    I followed the recipe as written and my family loved it. Very easy to make. Next time I'll add a few more vegetables but good as is. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 05, 2024 at 3:06 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  2. Karen says

    October 25, 2023 at 1:28 pm

    5 stars
    My husband and I loved this recipe. We had 2 1/2 leftovers. I put in mixed vegetables instead of just peas. Thought that I should ad more rice the next time. Also, I used long grain white rice and wild rice. Adjusted the cooking time. My husband said to make again.

    Thank you very much for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 25, 2023 at 2:22 pm

      Hi Karen,
      Thanks so much for your comment! I like your suggestions for the additions you made!
      Thank you!
      Kathy 🙂

      Reply
  3. Carie says

    July 14, 2023 at 6:41 am

    Do you cook the frozen peas before adding them also the parmesan cheese is that the one shredded in the dairy or is it the one you get in a can

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 14, 2023 at 8:05 am

      Hi Carie,
      I add the peas frozen and the cheese is from the deli area. You can also shred your own from a wedge of parm.
      Enjoy!
      Kathy 🙂

      Reply
  4. Joy says

    April 10, 2023 at 3:57 pm

    Hi Kathy,
    This recipe sounds delicious! I’d like to make it this weekend, but if I double the recipe and I would like to make it creamier, how much should I increase the flour and milk? Thank you! Will definitely let you know how it turns out!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 10, 2023 at 5:48 pm

      Hi Joy,
      If doubling, I'd bake in two separate dishes, unless you have a very large casserole dish. To make creamier, I'd double the amount of butter, flour and milk plus an additional 1/2 cup of milk.
      Enjoy!
      Kathy 🙂

      Reply
  5. Amanda M says

    January 13, 2023 at 8:20 am

    This looks so good!! I was wondering if this could be frozen after baking then reheated in the oven? Looking for freezer meals to make for post-surgery parent. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 13, 2023 at 12:45 pm

      Thanks! Yes, this ham casserole can be frozen either prior to baking or after fully baked. If unbaked, thaw first and then bake according to directions. If fully baked prior to freezing, allow casserole to fully thaw. Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes until heated through. You could also freeze smaller portions. You could also reheat using a microwave if that's easier.

      Reply
  6. Erika says

    January 07, 2023 at 8:23 pm

    I made this tonight with my leftover ham. I had similar recipe before, but I couldn’t find it. It used mayo and my family didn’t really like it. I just googled ham and rice casserole recipe and this came up.Tonight my daughters commented that this casserole is better than I ever made it. I liked the simple ingredients that are always in my pantry.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 08, 2023 at 4:57 am

      Thanks, Erika! I'm glad everyone enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
      • Kate says

        January 19, 2023 at 1:40 pm

        I did not add milk and doubled the chicken broth. I added a pinch of garlic powder and onion powder. I added no salt. The recipe was excellent! Although a bit dry the following day

      • Kathy says

        January 19, 2023 at 4:14 pm

        Thank you!

  7. Kate says

    April 01, 2022 at 4:29 pm

    5 stars
    Made this tonight using almond milk in place of regular milk (2 lactose intolerant people in my family of 6!) also added chopped up bacon and riced broccoli. Had to substitute crushed crackers for the panko as I found out I was out of panko. Was delicious and family loved it.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 01, 2022 at 5:02 pm

      Wonderful!!! So glad it worked out and everyone loved it! Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Nancy P Voss says

    January 23, 2022 at 2:55 pm

    5 stars
    Made this today with leftover holiday. I used green beans because we prefer beans to peas. Such an adaptable recipe. Will be saving your recipe. Such a hit. Thanks much. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 24, 2022 at 5:55 am

      Green beans is a great idea! Thanks for your lovely comment. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Sue says

    April 05, 2021 at 10:24 am

    5 stars
    I made this for Easter and we all enjoyed it. It was delicious! We will be making this again in the future. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 06, 2021 at 6:32 am

      Thanks, Sue! I'm so glad everyone enjoyed it! Thanks so much. 🙂 Kathy

      Reply
  10. David @ Spiced says

    January 03, 2021 at 11:54 am

    5 stars
    This sounds like an awesome comfort food meal, Kathy! We actually have a smoked ham in the freezer right now - it was on super sale after Christmas, and I couldn't help but grab one. Now I know how to use it! Happy New Year to you and your family, my friend!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 03, 2021 at 1:02 pm

      Hi David,
      Grabbing an extra ham when on sale is a smart idea! Now you can have it on hand for so many great meals!
      Happy New Year to you!!! 🙂

      Reply
    • Nicole says

      March 28, 2022 at 12:08 pm

      Do you cook the rice ahead of time before adding it all together and then baking it?

      Reply
      • Kathy says

        March 28, 2022 at 12:57 pm

        Hi Nicole,
        This recipe does call for cooked rice. The rice is cooked before and then added.
        Please let me know if you have any other questions.
        Kathy 🙂

  11. Cathy P says

    December 28, 2020 at 9:50 am

    Making this tonight with leftover Christmas ham. Will add the extra flour and milk.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 28, 2020 at 11:54 am

      Extra creaminess is always a good thing!
      Enjoy 🙂

      Reply
      • Cathy Perez says

        December 30, 2020 at 10:11 am

        5 stars
        Hi Kathy, I made this casserole last night and it was delicious. I did make it extra creamy by using a whole can of evaporated milk because that's what I had in my pantry (we don't drink much regular milk in my house). I also used vegetable stock because that's what I had open in the fridge. I topped mine with shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese and then the panko bread crumbs. I like that this recipe is so adaptable and not only can I use up my leftover Christmas ham, I can also use up bits of "this & that" in the refrigerator. I'm happy I found your site. I look forward to getting more recipes here. Happy New Year from Portland, Oregon.

      • Kathy says

        December 30, 2020 at 10:32 am

        I love that this can be made with different variations. Nice job on using up what you have on hand - I'm sure there are others who can follow your example. Thanks so much for your kind comment!
        Kathy 🙂

  12. Kathy Kunemund says

    December 27, 2020 at 5:28 pm

    I didn't know what else to do with the leftover Christmas ham, until I came across this recipe. It was awesome! Everyone loved it. I liked the fact that all of the ingredients were already in my pantry. I didn't have to run out and pick up some soup to complete it. The sherry was a nice touch as well. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 28, 2020 at 3:24 am

      I'm so glad you loved it! It can be hard to keep coming up with creative ideas with leftovers! Thanks for leaving such a great comment!

      Reply
  13. aholder@fpsb.us says

    December 27, 2020 at 8:38 am

    Can't wait to make this and the variations!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 27, 2020 at 8:40 am

      Enjoy! 🙂

      Reply
5 from 69 votes (62 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

The author holding a chicken.

I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

More about me →

Grilling Time

  • Skewered shrimp on a plate.
    Honey Lime Shrimp
  • Grilled ribs on a bed of lettuce.
    Smoked Baby Back Ribs
  • Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers on a white dinner plate.
    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
  • Grilled chicken thighs on a white plate.
    Italian Dressing Chicken
  • Flatbread rounds on a brown paper bag.
    Grilled Flatbread
  • Grilled lemon chicken breast on a plate with baby potatoes and a green salad.
    Honey Lemon Chicken
  • A glass jar filled with an orange glaze with jalapenos.
    Jalapeno Apricot Sauce
  • A whole chicken on a can of beer on the grill.
    Beer Can Chicken on Grill

Popular Recipes

  • A single muffin topped with a crumbly topping on a plate.
    Banana Oatmeal Muffins
  • Breakfast sausage cooked in the oven.
    Breakfast Sausage in Oven
  • Crispy fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.
    Pan Fried Walleye
  • Gravy pouring over a pile of mashed potatoes.
    Homemade Brown Gravy
  • Crispy fish cakes on a white platter with lemon wedges.
    Fish Cakes
  • Pasta twirled around a fork and in a large white bowl.
    Garlic Butter Pasta

Cookbooks

Two cookbooks piled on a counter.

Featured In...

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

Footer

↑ back to top

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Disclosure Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 Beyond the Chicken Coop LLC ®

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.