Cheesy Ham and Pea Casserole is made with rice, diced ham, peas, and shredded cheddar cheese. This flavorful casserole is an easy weeknight dinner recipe that the whole family will love.
Dinnertime is the busiest time of the day for me, so dinner needs to be easy, filling, and delicious for even the pickiest eaters. This simple Cheesy Ham and Pea Casserole is a favorite at my house, and we have it on regular rotation.
Recipe Notes
- Budget-friendly ingredients. With food prices so high, it’s a challenge to feed my family and stay under budget. Using leftover ham and adding rice and peas makes this recipe hearty and fairly cheap to make.
- Great for meal prep. This recipe makes fantastic leftovers to divide up and keep in the refrigerator to eat for lunch for the rest of the week. The casserole also freezes very well. Double the recipe and freeze half for up to 3 months before baking.
- Easy, simple recipe. I love recipes that have a lot of flavor but only require a few ingredients.
INGREDIENTS IN CHEESY HAM AND PEA CASSEROLE
White rice: The recipe calls for two cups of cooked rice. One cup of uncooked rice will yield 2 cups of cooked rice. You can swap this out with brown rice or quinoa if preferred.
Ham: You will need 2 cups of diced, cooked ham. Leftover ham works great in this recipe, or you can use a package of diced ham to save some time.
Peas: Fresh or frozen peas both work great in the recipe. You can add other veggies as well.
Cream of chicken soup: A can of cream of chicken soup adds creaminess and flavor to the casserole. If you need to make the casserole gluten-free, make sure to use gluten-free soup.
Sour cream: You can swap out the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt to reduce calories and add a bit more protein to the recipe.
Seasonings: A little bit of onion powder and black pepper add flavor to the casserole.
Cheddar cheese: The recipe calls for a sharp cheddar, but you can use a medium cheddar, a cheddar-jack blend, or any other type of cheese or blend of cheeses you have on hand.
TIPS FOR MAKING HAM CASSEROLE
Full instructions for the recipe can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few tips to keep in mind.
- Cover with foil. You’ll need to cover the casserole with foil for the first 20 minutes of baking to ensure that it heats through completely without losing too much moisture.
- Get creative! You can swap the ham with cooked shredded chicken, you can add any types of veggies you have on hand, and you can easily use a different kind of cheese or blend of cheeses if you prefer.
- Use fresh or frozen peas. Canned peas tend to become mushy when baked in the casserole, particularly if you save some for leftovers. There is no need to thaw frozen peas before adding them to the other ingredients.
STORING AND FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Leftovers can be frozen for up to 2-3 months in an airtight container or Ziplock bag.
CHEESY HAM AND PEA CASSEROLE RECIPE
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 cups cooked ham diced
- 1 ½ cups peas fresh or frozen
- 10 oz cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Mix the ham, rice, peas, soup, sour cream, onion powder, black pepper, and 1 cup of shredded cheese in a large mixing bowl until combined.
- Spread into your prepared baking dish and top with the remaining cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted through. Serve while hot.
Notes
Nutrition
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HOW TO COOK PERFECT RICE ON THE STOVE
To cook rice on the stove, you will need 1 cup of rice and 1 1/2 cups of water. Add the rice and water to a pot and heat over high heat until boiling. Place the lid on the pan and reduce the heat to a simmer for about 13 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and leave the lid on for 5-10 more minutes before taking the lid off and fluffing the rice with a fork. 1 cup of uncooked rice will yield the 2 cups of cooked rice needed for the recipe.
More easy casserole recipes to try:
- Some of our favorite casseroles are made with ground beef. Sloppy Joe Casserole, Beef Enchilada Casserole, and Cheesy Beef and Zucchini Casserole are all eaten frequently at my house.
- Chicken is also a popular ingredient in casserole recipes. Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole and Chicken Fajita Casserole are easy to make and packed with flavor.
- Breakfast casseroles are always a great idea. If you like savory, this Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole is a tried and true favorite. If you want something sweet, this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole is incredible.
Cheesy Ham and Pea Casserole is made with rice, diced ham, peas, and shredded cheddar cheese. This flavorful casserole is an easy weeknight dinner recipe that the whole family will love.
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