Cheesy ham pea bake (Printer-Friendly)

Tender ham and peas combined with creamy cheddar cheese for a cozy, satisfying dinner bake.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 3 cups cooked long-grain white rice
02 - 2 cups cubed cooked ham
03 - 1 cup frozen green peas

→ Creamy Mixture

04 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup, low sodium
05 - 1/2 cup sour cream, full fat
06 - 1 dash hot sauce

→ Cheese

07 - 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

→ Seasonings

08 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and promote golden edges.
02 - In a large bowl, mix cooked rice, cubed ham, frozen peas, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, seasonings, and hot sauce until uniformly coated with no visible pockets of cream.
03 - Transfer mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese evenly across the top.
04 - Bake uncovered on the center rack for approximately 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted, golden, and edges are bubbly.
05 - Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes to set, ensuring neat slices when served.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - For enhanced texture, sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs atop cheese before baking.
02 - Use freshly shredded cheese for superior melt and flavor.