Ham and Cheese Baked Rice Casserole

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

A comforting baked rice casserole layered with ham, melted cheese, and a creamy sauce, perfect for easy weeknight dinners or potlucks. This Brazilian-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs cooked white rice, diced cooked ham, shredded mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Ingredients

• 3 cups (600 g) cooked white rice
• 1 1/2 cups (200 g) diced cooked ham
• 1 1/2 cups (150 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 4 oz (115 g), softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

The 9x13 baking dish we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish with 2 tbsp butter.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups cooked white rice, 1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
3. Step 3: In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together 1 cup heavy cream and 4 oz softened cream cheese until smooth and warm, about 4 minutes.
4. Step 4: Pour the warm cream mixture over the rice mixture, then add 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir gently until fully combined.
5. Step 5: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
6. Step 6: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is bubbly and lightly golden.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the casserole before serving hot.