This Dump-and-Bake Ham & Cheddar Casserole is the ultimate easy comfort food. With just one dish and a few minutes of prep, you’ll have a warm, cheesy, satisfying meal that’s perfect for using up leftover ham. The creamy base, melty cheddar cheese, tender rice, and crisp broccoli all bake together beautifully in the oven—no need to pre-cook anything. It’s a hearty, no-fuss dinner the whole family will love.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
• 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of celery soup (or substitute with cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup)
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or milk
• ½ teaspoon seasoned salt (such as Lawry’s)
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
• 2 cups (about ¾ lb) cooked, diced ham
• 1 (12.6 oz) bag frozen baby broccoli florets (or cuts)
• 1½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
Add condensed soup, chicken broth (or milk), seasoned salt, and pepper directly into the prepared dish. Whisk until smooth and fully combined.
Stir in the uncooked rice, diced ham, frozen broccoli, and ½ cup of the grated cheddar cheese. Mix until evenly distributed.
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 55–60 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
Remove foil, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
Place the dish under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with chopped fresh herbs if desired and serve hot.
Nutrients (per serving, ¼ of casserole, approximate)
Calories: 493 kcal
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 29g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
Monounsaturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 76mg
Sodium: 1665mg
Potassium: 818mg
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 3g
Vitamin A: 1015 IU
Vitamin C: 76mg
Calcium: 370mg
A Perfect Use for Leftover Ham
Leftover ham always seems to find its way into the fridge after holidays, Sunday dinners, or bulk grocery buys. While sandwiches are great, this casserole takes leftovers to the next level. Diced ham becomes the savory star of the dish, adding hearty texture and saltiness to every bite. Its natural richness pairs beautifully with the creamy base and sharp cheddar cheese, delivering flavor that feels homey, familiar, and deeply satisfying.
But the beauty of this recipe is that it doesn’t depend on leftovers. Store-bought pre-diced ham works just as well, making this dish a go-to option even when there’s no celebration behind it.
Creamy, Cheesy, and Totally Cozy
At the heart of this casserole is its irresistibly creamy texture. Using condensed soup as the base—whether cream of celery, chicken, or mushroom—gives it that classic casserole feel with minimal effort. It creates a silky sauce that envelopes every grain of rice and floret of broccoli, infusing them with flavor and moisture as they bake.
The cheddar cheese adds that melt-in-your-mouth richness and signature sharpness that balances the savory ham. Half of the cheese gets mixed in for creaminess throughout the dish, while the rest is sprinkled on top and broiled to golden perfection. The final touch? A bubbling, cheesy crust that’s both inviting and utterly crave-worthy.
Dump-and-Bake: The Definition of Weeknight Ease
There are nights when the idea of prepping, sautéing, and standing over the stove feels like too much—and that’s exactly when this dump-and-bake casserole shines. Everything is combined directly in the baking dish, from liquids and seasonings to rice, cheese, ham, and frozen broccoli. There’s no need to pre-cook the rice or thaw the veggies, making cleanup a breeze and prep time almost nonexistent.
Once it’s in the oven, the dish takes care of itself. Covered with foil, the rice steams in the liquid and absorbs all the flavor as it cooks. About an hour later, it emerges from the oven ready to be topped with cheese and finished under the broiler. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it dinner solution.
Balanced, Family-Friendly Ingredients
This casserole may be loaded with cheese and savory ham, but it also offers a surprisingly balanced meal in one pan. With starch from the rice, protein from the ham, and a generous helping of broccoli, it hits all the major nutritional marks in a single dish. That makes it especially appealing for parents looking to serve up something nutritious without juggling multiple side dishes or cooking components.
Even picky eaters tend to be won over by the creamy texture and cheesy topping. The broccoli softens as it bakes but holds its shape, becoming tender without turning to mush. It blends seamlessly into the dish, making it easy to sneak in some veggies for kids who might otherwise be hesitant.
A Make-Ahead Marvel
Busy schedules demand meals that work around your life, not the other way around. That’s where this casserole truly excels. It can be assembled earlier in the day, covered, and refrigerated until dinnertime. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and let it do its thing.
It also holds up well as leftovers. The rice stays tender, the flavors deepen overnight, and the cheesy top layer can be reheated to melty perfection in the oven or microwave. This makes it ideal for meal prep or for feeding a household over multiple days. And if you want to freeze it, simply portion it into individual servings and wrap them tightly—perfect for quick lunches or solo dinners on busy evenings.
Customizable to Suit Every Taste
While this recipe is a winner exactly as written, it also leaves plenty of room for creativity. Want a touch of spice? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some chopped jalapeños. Prefer a different cheese? Try Monterey Jack, Swiss, or even a smoky gouda for a new twist. If you’re not a fan of broccoli, you can substitute with peas, green beans, or chopped spinach. The casserole is forgiving and flexible, which means you can make it your own without fear of messing it up.
The same goes for the soup base. While cream of celery adds a clean, mellow background flavor, swapping in cream of mushroom adds earthiness, and cream of chicken lends an extra savory punch. You can even go half-and-half with chicken broth and milk for a lighter, silkier sauce.
A Comfort Food Classic for Every Season
Comfort food knows no season, and this casserole proves it. In the winter, it’s the ultimate cozy dinner to warm you up from the inside out. In spring and summer, it makes great use of fresh or frozen veggies and pairs wonderfully with a light side salad. During the fall, when schedules get hectic and everyone craves hearty meals, this dish fits perfectly into your weekly rotation.
It also transitions seamlessly between casual and celebratory occasions. Serve it in a simple baking dish for a weeknight family dinner, or transfer it to a decorative casserole dish with fresh herbs on top for a potluck, brunch, or holiday buffet. It’s one of those rare dishes that feels equally at home on a Tuesday night or the Sunday dinner table.
Conclusion: Easy, Cheesy, and Irresistibly Comforting
This Dump-and-Bake Ham & Cheddar Casserole proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With a handful of ingredients, minimal prep, and one baking dish, you get a complete, hearty meal that’s as easy to make as it is to love. The combination of tender rice, juicy ham, crisp broccoli, and melty cheddar creates a flavor and texture harmony that satisfies with every bite.
Whether you’re using up leftovers, feeding a hungry family, or just looking for something warm and cozy after a long day, this casserole delivers. It’s dependable, adaptable, and designed to make dinnertime easier—without sacrificing taste. Once you try it, you’ll want to keep it in your regular rotation all year long. From weeknight lifesaver to weekend comfort, this is the kind of meal that brings everyone back to the table.
