Hearty & Easy Ham and Vegetable Casserole with Golden Bisquick Topping
There’s nothing quite like a comforting casserole to bring the family together for a satisfying meal. This easy ham and vegetable casserole recipe delivers on all fronts: it’s incredibly simple to prepare, packed with savory flavors, and creates a complete, hearty meal in a single baking dish. Featuring tender diced ham, a colorful medley of frozen mixed vegetables, and a rich, creamy sauce made with condensed cream of mushroom soup and tangy sour cream, this casserole is a true crowd-pleaser. Crowned with a layer of fluffy, golden-brown Bisquick topping, it’s a perfect blend of textures and tastes that the whole family will enjoy, making it an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering.
The magic of this casserole lies in its creamy, cheesy core. The base layer combines the classic comfort of cream of mushroom soup with the bright tang of sour cream, elevated by a generous helping of shredded sharp cheddar and smooth Monterey Jack cheese. This rich foundation cradles the diced ham and vibrant vegetables, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. The crowning glory is a simple yet effective Bisquick topping, which bakes to a beautiful golden perfection, adding a delightful, biscuit-like crust that perfectly complements the creamy filling below.
One of the best aspects of this ham and vegetable casserole is its incredible versatility. While the recipe shines with diced ham, it’s also a fantastic way to utilize other cooked proteins. Easily swap the ham for shredded chicken, leftover Thanksgiving turkey, browned ground beef, or even cooked sausage. The vegetable blend is also adaptable, allowing you to use your favorite frozen or fresh vegetables. If you’re a fan of comforting casserole dishes, you’ll definitely want to explore other easy recipes like our Easy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole or the delightful Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole.
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Recipe Highlights: Why You’ll Love This Ham & Veggie Casserole
- Effortlessly Easy: This is truly an easy casserole recipe that even novice cooks can master. It calls for simple, readily available ingredients, many of which are likely already in your pantry or freezer, minimizing shopping and prep time. No complicated steps or fancy techniques required!
- Remarkably Quick: Forget lengthy cooking sessions. This convenient dish can be prepped in just 10 minutes, allowing you to get dinner on the table without stress, especially on busy weeknights. After a quick prep, it bakes to perfection in about 30 minutes, meaning you can enjoy a delicious homemade meal in under an hour.
- Perfect for Leftover Ham: Have leftover ham from Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas dinner? This casserole is the ultimate solution for transforming holiday remnants into a brand new, exciting meal. It’s a delicious and resourceful way to prevent food waste and enjoy the savory flavors of ham beyond the main holiday feast.
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Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Ham & Vegetable Casserole
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: We recommend a classic blend of peas, carrots, corn, and green beans for vibrant color and balanced flavor. Using frozen vegetables is a fantastic shortcut, as they are pre-cut and retain their nutrients. For an even quicker preparation, you don’t even need to thaw them beforehand. Alternatively, feel free to customize with your preferred frozen veggies or a combination of fresh vegetables, blanched or lightly steamed first.
- Cooked Ham, Diced: The star of our casserole! Diced or cubed pre-cooked ham is ideal for this recipe. It’s the perfect way to give new life to leftover ham from a holiday roast. If you don’t have leftovers, look for pre-cooked ham in the refrigerated meat section of your grocery store – ham steak, cubed ham, or even thick-cut deli ham are excellent choices. Ensure it’s fully cooked before dicing.
- Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: This pantry staple forms the rich, umami-packed base of our creamy sauce. Its thick consistency helps bind all the ingredients together, creating a comforting and savory flavor profile that complements the ham and vegetables beautifully.
- Sour Cream: Adding a delightful tang and extra creaminess, sour cream enriches the sauce and balances the savory flavors. Full-fat sour cream will yield the richest results, but a light version can also be used.
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: This cheese brings a bold, distinct cheesy flavor and a wonderful melty texture to the casserole filling. Its sharpness cuts through the richness of the cream sauce.
- Monterey Jack Cheese: Known for its mild flavor and exceptional meltability, Monterey Jack cheese contributes to the smooth, gooey texture of the filling, ensuring every spoonful is deliciously cheesy. Using a combination of cheeses provides depth of flavor and a superior melt.
- Onion Powder: A hint of onion powder deepens the savory notes of the casserole without the texture or strong bite of fresh onion. It’s an easy way to infuse a subtle, aromatic foundation.
- Ground Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing the overall flavors of the dish. Freshly ground black pepper will offer the most aromatic kick. Adjust the amount to your personal preference.
- Bisquick: This incredibly convenient pre-made baking mix is the secret to our fluffy, golden-brown topping. It simplifies the process of creating a delicious, biscuit-like crust that bakes right on top of your casserole.
- Milk: Used to mix with the Bisquick, milk adds essential moisture to the topping, helping it achieve its tender texture. Whole milk provides the richest flavor, but 2% or skim milk will also work.
- Large Egg: Acts as a binding agent for the Bisquick topping, providing structure and helping it rise beautifully while baking. It ensures a cohesive and airy crust.
- Vegetable Oil: A touch of vegetable oil in the Bisquick mixture adds additional moisture and helps create a tender crumb for the topping, ensuring it’s not dry.
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and full recipe details.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Ham & Vegetable Casserole
Get ready to create a delicious and satisfying meal with these straightforward instructions. Follow along for the perfect ham and vegetable casserole with a golden Bisquick topping.
- Prepare Your Baking Dish and Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). This ensures your casserole starts baking at the correct temperature for even cooking and a golden crust. Lightly grease an 8 by 8-inch baking dish (or a 9×9-inch dish for slightly thinner layers and faster cooking) with butter or cooking spray. Set it aside for now.
- Mix the Creamy Ham and Vegetable Filling:
In a spacious medium mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the base: the frozen mixed vegetables, cubed ham, condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, onion powder, and ground black pepper. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to mix everything thoroughly until all the components are evenly coated in the creamy sauce and the cheese is well distributed. This ensures every serving will have a balanced taste.
Once mixed, transfer the flavorful ham and veggie mixture into your prepared casserole dish. Spread it out evenly with your spoon or spatula, ensuring the base forms a consistent layer across the bottom of the dish.
- Prepare and Add the Bisquick Topping:
In a separate, smaller mixing bowl, combine the Bisquick mix, milk, large egg, and vegetable oil. Whisk these ingredients together until you have a smooth, well-combined batter. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are perfectly fine and will bake out.
Carefully pour the Bisquick mixture evenly over the ham and veggie filling in the casserole dish. Gently spread it from edge to edge with the back of your spoon or an offset spatula, ensuring the entire filling is covered with a smooth, even layer of batter. This will create a consistent and beautiful crust.
- Bake to Golden Perfection:
Place the uncovered casserole dish into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the Bisquick topping is beautifully golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the topping comes out clean, indicating it’s fully cooked through. Keep an eye on the browning: if the top starts to get too dark before the Bisquick layer is fully cooked, loosely tent the casserole with aluminum foil. This will prevent over-browning while allowing the inside to finish baking. Once baked, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly and makes for cleaner slices.
Creative Substitutions for Your Ham & Vegetable Casserole
This ham and vegetable casserole recipe is incredibly forgiving and adaptable. Don’t have a specific ingredient on hand, or simply want to switch things up? Here are some excellent substitutions that will still yield a delicious and satisfying dish:
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: While the classic blend works wonderfully, feel free to get creative! Substitute with your preferred frozen veggie mix, such as a blend of broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower, or just frozen peas and corn. You can also use fresh vegetables like steamed broccoli florets, chopped bell peppers, or sautéed mushrooms. If using canned vegetables, be sure to drain them very well to avoid a watery casserole.
- Cooked Ham: This recipe is fantastic with other cooked proteins. Try using cooked and shredded turkey or chicken for a lighter flavor profile, making it a great way to use up holiday leftovers. Ground beef or sausage (browned and drained of excess fat) also make excellent, hearty alternatives that transform the dish into a different kind of savory sensation.
- Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: If mushroom isn’t your favorite, or you’re looking for a different flavor base, virtually any “cream of” soup will work. Condensed cream of chicken soup, cream of potato soup, or even cream of celery soup are fantastic substitutes. For an extra cheesy kick, try condensed cheddar cheese soup. For a from-scratch option, you can make a simple white sauce (béchamel) and add sautéed mushrooms or other flavorings.
- Sour Cream: To alter the richness or tang, you can replace sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier and lighter option. If you prefer a richer, less tangy sauce, heavy cream or even a bit of cream cheese (softened and whisked in) can be used, though this might result in a slightly thinner or thicker consistency, respectively.
- Cheese: The combination of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack provides a balanced flavor and melt. However, you can easily use other shreddable, meltable cheeses. Shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese will add a nutty complexity, smoked Gouda offers a unique smoky depth, while pepper jack cheese will introduce a mild spicy kick. Colby Jack, provolone, or mozzarella are also great options that melt beautifully and provide a classic cheesy taste.
- Onion Powder: For a different aromatic, substitute onion powder with an equal amount of garlic powder. You can also add a pinch of dried herbs like thyme, oregano, or a mixed Italian seasoning blend for an herbaceous twist. If you prefer fresh aromatics, finely mince a quarter of a small onion and sauté it before adding to the mixture.
- Bisquick: If you don’t have Bisquick, you can easily make a homemade baking mix from flour, baking powder, salt, and a little butter or vegetable shortening. Alternatively, any other brand of pancake or biscuit baking mix (like Pearl Milling Company) will work similarly.
- Milk: While whole milk provides the richest flavor and most moisture to the Bisquick topping, lower-fat milk (2% or skim) can be used if preferred. For a dairy-free option, an unsweetened plain plant-based milk (like almond or soy milk) can also be used in the topping, though the flavor may vary slightly.
- Vegetable Oil: Canola oil is a direct and excellent substitute for vegetable oil. Melted butter will also work beautifully and add a richer, more buttery flavor to the Bisquick topping. Olive oil can be used in a pinch, but its distinct flavor might subtly alter the taste of the topping, so it’s not our top recommendation for this specific component.
Delicious Variations for Your Casserole
Beyond simple ingredient swaps, you can get even more creative with the topping and base of this casserole. Here are some exciting variations to try:
- Stuffing Casserole: For a delightful texture and herbaceous flavor, replace the Bisquick layer with a prepared box of stuffing. Simply prepare the stuffing mix according to package directions, then spread it evenly over the ham and vegetable filling before baking. This creates a wonderfully savory and crumbly topping. See this easy chicken stuffing casserole for inspiration.
- Cornbread Casserole: Introduce a touch of sweet and savory by swapping the Bisquick topping for a prepared cornbread mix. Use one box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix (or your preferred brand), prepare it with ⅓ cup milk and 1 large egg, then pour and spread over the filling. Bake until the cornbread is golden and cooked through. This variation offers a comforting, slightly sweet counterpoint to the savory filling. Our Mexican cornbread casserole is a great example of this style.
- Biscuit Casserole: For a truly home-style touch, use refrigerated biscuit dough for your topping. Simply cut each biscuit into quarters using kitchen scissors or a knife, then arrange the pieces evenly over the top of the casserole filling. Bake until the biscuit pieces are golden brown and thoroughly cooked, puffing up beautifully.
- Noodle Bake: If you’re a fan of pasta bakes, you can easily adapt this concept. Cook about 8 ounces of your favorite pasta (like elbow macaroni or egg noodles) until al dente. Mix the cooked pasta into the ham and vegetable filling before topping with Bisquick or a cheese crust for a hearty ham and cheese pasta bake. For a different take on a creamy pasta casserole, check out this colorful macaroni casserole.
- Crispy Breadcrumb Topping: For a lighter, crunchy topping, skip the Bisquick and sprinkle a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and a pinch of Parmesan cheese over the filling before baking.
- Potato Topping: Create a heartier casserole by topping it with a layer of thinly sliced potatoes (par-cooked slightly) or even frozen shredded hash browns for a crispy potato crust.
Essential Equipment for Casserole Success
To make this ham and vegetable casserole, you’ll need just a few basic kitchen tools:
- 8×8 or 9×9 Baking Dish: A sturdy baking dish is crucial for even cooking and serving your casserole. An 8×8-inch dish will yield a thicker casserole, while a 9×9-inch dish will result in a slightly thinner layer with a bit more surface area for that delicious Bisquick crust.
- Mixing Bowls: You’ll need two mixing bowls: a medium-sized one for combining the ham and vegetable mixture, and a smaller one for whisking together the Bisquick topping ingredients.
- Whisk or Spoon: For mixing the ingredients smoothly.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
Storing and Reheating Your Ham & Vegetable Casserole
This casserole is fantastic for meal prep or enjoying leftovers. Proper storage ensures it stays fresh and delicious:
- Refrigeration: To store leftover ham casserole, allow it to cool completely to room temperature (this prevents condensation which can make the topping soggy). Transfer the portions into an airtight container, or if keeping it in the baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Refrigerate promptly for optimal freshness, and consume within 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes wonderfully. Once cooled, you can freeze individual portions in airtight, freezer-safe containers for convenient single-serve meals, or freeze the entire casserole (if using a freezer-safe dish) tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
- Reheating:
- From Refrigerated: For individual portions, microwave until heated through, stirring occasionally. For a whole casserole, cover with foil and reheat in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until warmed through. Uncover for the last few minutes if you want the topping to crisp up.
- From Frozen: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator first. Then, reheat as described for refrigerated casserole. You can also reheat directly from frozen, but this will take significantly longer (expect 45-60 minutes or more in the oven, covered, at a lower temperature like 325°F/160°C).
Pro Tips for the Best Ham and Vegetable Casserole
Elevate your casserole game with these simple tips:
- Don’t Overmix the Bisquick: When preparing the Bisquick topping, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, less fluffy crust. A few small lumps are perfectly fine!
- Thaw and Drain Veggies (Optional but Recommended): While you can add frozen vegetables directly, if time permits, thawing them and draining any excess liquid can help prevent a watery casserole filling, ensuring a richer, creamier consistency.
- Season to Taste: Taste your ham and vegetable mixture before adding the Bisquick topping. You might want to adjust the salt (especially if your ham is very salty) or add a little more pepper or onion powder. A dash of garlic powder can also be a welcome addition.
- Let it Rest: After baking, let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows the filling to set, making for cleaner slices and a less runny consistency when dishing it out.
- High-Quality Ham: The flavor of your ham truly shines in this dish. Using a good quality, flavorful cooked ham (especially leftover spiral-cut or smoked ham) will make a noticeable difference in the overall taste of your casserole.
What to Serve with Your Ham Casserole
This ham and vegetable casserole is a complete meal on its own, but pairing it with a simple side can make it even more satisfying:
- Fresh Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich and creamy casserole.
- Crusty Bread: A loaf of warm, crusty bread or garlic bread is perfect for soaking up any extra creamy sauce.
- Roasted Asparagus or Green Beans: If your mixed vegetables are mostly corn and peas, a side of roasted asparagus or extra green beans can add more fresh, earthy flavors.
- Fruit Salad: A simple fruit salad can offer a sweet and light counterpoint to the savory main dish.
More Delicious Casserole Recipes to Explore
If you enjoy the ease and comfort of this ham and vegetable casserole, you’ll love these other simple and hearty casserole recipes:
- Easy Mexican Cornbread Casserole
- Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole
- Easy Chicken Stuffing Casserole
- Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
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Ham and Vegetable Casserole
Equipment
-
8×8 or 9×9 baking dish
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Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans blend)
- 1-½ cups cooked ham diced (perfect for leftovers!)
- 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (10.5 ounces)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup Bisquick
- ½ cup milk (whole milk recommended for richness)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Lightly grease an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set it aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the frozen mixed vegetables, diced cooked ham, condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, onion powder, and ground black pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly combined and coated in the creamy sauce. Spread this mixture evenly into your prepared casserole dish.
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In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together the Bisquick, milk, large egg, and vegetable oil until the batter is smooth. Pour this Bisquick mixture evenly over the ham and veggie filling, gently spreading it from edge to edge to ensure the entire surface is covered.
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Bake the casserole uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the Bisquick topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the topping comes out clean. If the topping browns too quickly before it’s fully cooked, loosely tent the casserole with aluminum foil. Remove from oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.