Baked Ham and Cheese Brazilian-Style Rice Casserole

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A comforting Brazilian baked rice dish layered with savory ham, melted cheese, and creamy béchamel sauce, perfect for family dinners. This Brazilian-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs cooked white rice, ham, diced, mozzarella cheese, shredded for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 Brazilian cuisine 370 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden and bubbling.
  2. Step 2: Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg.
  3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups cooked white rice, 1 cup diced ham, and 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Pour the béchamel sauce over and gently fold to combine.
  4. Step 4: Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese evenly on top.
  5. Step 5: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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