Baked Ham and Cheese Rice (Arroz de Forno Misto)

This baked ham and cheese rice recipe is a casserole made with leftovers, making dinner a delicious yet easy task. It is so delish!

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Are you a fan of ham and cheese sandwiches? Me too! But what if I told you there is much more that you can do with that combo?

This "one-baking dish" Baked Ham and Cheese Rice Casserole is just one of those dishes -- and even better, is dinner made easy... with the added plus of leftovers, if desired.

Ingredients for the Ham and Cheese Rice Bake

Here is everything you will need to make this dish:

• 2 large egg yolks
• 2½ cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ small white or yellow onion small diced
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup plus ¼ of chopped fresh parsley for sprinkling on top
• 1 teaspoon salt or more if desired
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese or other of your choice about 2½ cups, I used Colby & Monterey Jack
• 8 oz chopped deli ham about 2½ cups
• 2 cups cooked long-grain white rice either chilled or at room temperature
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

How to make baked ham and cheese rice

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease with softened butter and then flour (it can be a gluten-free one) a medium baking dish; set aside. If desired, you can place chunks of onion and carrot plus 1 cup of fresh parsley into a food processor and process until obtaining small pieces -- to avoid having to chop them by hand.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the yolks with the heavy cream. Add the onion, carrot, 1 cup of chopped parsley, salt and pepper, mozzarella, ham, and rice. Stir with a wooden spoon until obtaining a homogeneous mixture.
3. Place the rice mixture into the greased/floured baking dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top evenly. Bake, uncovered, for about 25-30 minutes on the lowest oven rack. Sprinkle ¼ cup of chopped parsley on top and serve. Enjoy!

Baked Ham and Cheese Rice: Variations

Chicken, bacon, sausage, and shredded jerked beef are just a few of the many variations that Brazilians make use of to transform the basic dish into a new one.

In addition, if you choose a different type of rice, such as wild rice, as well as another type of meat, cheese, or vegetable, you can repeat the same recipe yet give it a new name and face.

Basically, the only thing you would need to keep constant would be the yolks, heavy cream, salt and pepper.

To make baked rice casseroles even creamier, Brazilians love to add requeijão (Brazilian cream cheese) to the recipe -- although it is not required. We do just because, you know, you can never have too much cheese. 🙂

I will leave you now with the formula to one hero of a dish, and to your much-deserved rest.

Storage

Leftovers must be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Heat well before eating.

Tips for the Best Baked Ham and Cheese Rice

1. Use Leftover Ham: This recipe is perfect for using up leftover ham from a holiday meal or a roast. It adds great flavor and reduces food waste. 
   
2. Cheese Variety: For the best results, use a combination of cheddar cheese for sharpness and mozzarella for meltiness. You can also experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack or Gruyère. 
   
3. Rice Texture: Make sure to cook the rice just before adding it to the casserole. If using leftover rice, you can skip this step and mix it directly with the other ingredients. 
   
4. Make it Creamier: For an extra creamy dish, add a bit of cream cheese or sour cream to the mixture before baking. 
   
5. Add Vegetables: You can sneak in some veggies like peas, carrots, or broccoli for added nutrition and flavor. 
   
6. Avoid Overbaking: Be sure to check the rice about 5 minutes before the suggested cooking time is up. If it’s starting to brown too much, cover it with foil to prevent burning.
   
7. Use a Deep Baking Dish: This will help ensure the rice and cheese bake evenly without spilling over.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a different type of rice for this recipe?
   Yes! While long-grain white rice is preferred for this dish, you can also use cooked brown rice for a heartier, healthier option. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as brown rice takes longer to cook. 
   
2. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
   Absolutely! You can prepare the ham and cheese rice dish ahead of time, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. When you're ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if needed. 
   
3. Can I make this dish vegetarian?
   Yes! Simply omit the ham and replace it with vegetables, such as mushrooms, broccoli, or spinach. You can also use tofu for protein. 
   
4. 4. How can I make this dish spicier?
   If you like some heat, add some chopped jalapeños, one or two teaspoons of hot sauce, or sprinkle some red pepper flakes into the rice mixture before baking.

Other Recipes with Ham to Try

• Slow cooker ham recipe
• Honey glazed ham
• Ham and cabbage soup

Other Rice Recipes to Enjoy:

• Basmati rice
• Jasmine rice
• Rice with corn
• Galinhada
• Cajun dirty rice
• Black beans and rice

PIN & ENJOY!

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5 from 24 votes

Baked Ham and Cheese Rice Recipe

Make creamy baked ham and cheese rice with this easy recipe. A comforting, savory dish perfect for any meal that the whole family will love.

Course:Main Course

Cuisine:Brazilian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories705 kcal

Author Valentina Dimitrova

Cost $ 0.75 per person

Equipment

• 1 oven
• 1 Baking dish
• 1 Food processor
• 1 bowl

Ingredients

• 2 large egg yolks
• 2½ cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ small white or yellow onion small diced
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup plus ¼ of chopped fresh parsley for sprinkling on top
• 1 teaspoon salt or more if desired
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese or other of your choice about 2½ cups, I used Colby & Monterey Jack
• 8 oz chopped deli ham about 2½ cups
• 2 cups cooked long-grain white rice either chilled or at room temperature
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease with softened butter and then flour (it can be a gluten-free one) a medium baking dish; set aside.
•  NOTE: If desired, you can place chunks of onion and carrot plus 1 cup of fresh parsley into a food processor and process until obtaining small pieces -- to avoid having to chop them by hand.
• In a large bowl, whisk the yolks with the heavy cream. Add the onion, carrot, 1 cup of chopped parsley, salt and pepper, mozzarella, ham, and rice. Stir with a wooden spoon until obtaining a homogeneous mixture.
• Place rice mixture into the greased/floured baking dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top evenly. Bake, uncovered, for about 25-30 minutes on the lowest oven rack. Sprinkle ¼ cup of chopped parsley on top and serve. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

STORAGE: Leftovers must be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Heat well before eating. 

Nutrition

Calories: 705kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Cholesterol: 262mg | Sodium: 1695mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 6335IU | Vitamin C: 15.8mg | Calcium: 489mg | Iron: 1.7mg

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