If you’re craving comfort food with a twist, this Ham & Potato Casserole Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a perfect blend of creamy potatoes and savory ham baked to golden perfection, creating a heartwarming dish that’s quick to prepare and ideal for family dinners. Easy to customize and packed with flavors, this casserole combines simple ingredients for an effortlessly delicious meal that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Comfort: Combines everyday ingredients into a warm, satisfying casserole that feels like a hug in a dish.
- Family-Friendly: Perfect for all ages, making dinner time stress-free with a crowd-pleaser everyone enjoys.
- Time-Saving: Ready in under an hour with minimal prep, great for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
- Versatile Flavor: Easy to adapt with your favorite cheeses, herbs, or veggies to keep things exciting.
- One-Pan Wonder: Uses just one baking dish, saving you mess and making cleanup a breeze.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Ham & Potato Casserole Recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients that create perfect balance in taste, texture, and color. Each element contributes to the creamy, flavorful, and hearty nature of this dish, making it delightfully satisfying.
- Potatoes: Usually thinly sliced Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes for creamy texture and subtle flavor.
- Diced Ham: Adds a salty, smoky punch that pairs beautifully with potatoes.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar or a melty blend enhances richness and creates that golden topping.
- Onion: Finely chopped to bring a mild sweetness and aromatic undertone.
- Sour Cream or Cream Soup: Provides creamy moisture binding all ingredients together perfectly.
- Butter and Flour: Used for thickening the sauce into a luscious base.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to add balanced depth without overpowering flavors.
Variations for Ham & Potato Casserole Recipe
This recipe is incredibly adaptable, so feel free to get creative and make it your own. Whether you want to cater to dietary needs or just mix up the flavors, these variations make it simple and fun to personalize.
- Vegetable Boost: Add chopped broccoli, bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra nutrients and crunch.
- Cheese Swap: Use Gruyere, mozzarella, or pepper jack to change the flavor profile.
- Dairy-Free Option: Substitute sour cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free cheese for lactose-intolerant diets.
- Spicy Kick: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add diced jalapeños for a little heat.
- Herbal Freshness: Mix in fresh thyme, rosemary, or chives to brighten the dish.
How to Make Ham & Potato Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Start by washing and slicing the potatoes thinly and evenly. This ensures they cook uniformly and soak up the sauce beautifully.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce
Melt butter in a pan, whisk in flour to create a roux, then gradually add milk or cream. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens, then season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder for a rich base.
Step 3: Layer the Ingredients
In a greased casserole dish, layer half of the sliced potatoes, followed by a generous layer of diced ham, chopped onions, and shredded cheese. Pour half of the creamy sauce over the top, then repeat the layers.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Cover the casserole with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 45 minutes. Remove the foil in the last 10 minutes to allow the cheese to brown and form a delicious crust.
Step 5: Rest Before Serving
Once baked, let the casserole sit for 10 minutes to set. This helps the layers meld together, making it easier to cut and serve.
Pro Tips for Making Ham & Potato Casserole Recipe
- Even Slices: Use a mandoline slicer for uniform potato slices that cook evenly.
- Low and Slow: Baking at a moderate temperature ensures the potatoes soften without drying out.
- Don’t Skip Resting: Letting the casserole rest after baking improves texture and flavor melding.
- Quality Ham: Use good-quality, fully cooked ham for the best taste.
- Customize Cheese Blend: Mixing different cheeses gives a richer, more complex flavor.
How to Serve Ham & Potato Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chopped herbs like parsley or chives add a refreshing touch of color and flavor to your casserole. A sprinkle of paprika or cracked black pepper can enhance visual appeal and taste.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with crisp green salads, steamed vegetables, or roasted carrots to balance the creamy richness with refreshing, crunchy textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve individual portions in ramekins for elegant presentation or bring the dish straight from the oven in a rustic cast iron skillet for a cozy, family-style dinner vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover casserole in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing
This dish freezes well. To freeze, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 20-30 minutes, to preserve texture better than microwaving.
FAQs
Can I use leftover ham for this casserole?
Absolutely! Leftover ham is perfect for this recipe and adds great flavor without extra cost or effort.
What type of potatoes work best?
Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal due to their creamy texture when cooked, but Russets also work well.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, use a gluten-free flour blend to make the roux or substitute with cornstarch for thickening the sauce.
Is there a vegetarian alternative?
Swap ham for smoked tofu or seasoned mushrooms to keep the smoky flavor without meat.
How do I prevent the casserole from drying out?
Make sure to cover the casserole while baking, and add enough sauce to keep the potatoes moist but not soupy.
Final Thoughts
This Ham & Potato Casserole Recipe is a true gem for anyone seeking a hearty, comforting meal that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. With its creamy layers, savory ham, and golden cheese topping, it’s sure to become a family favorite you’ll turn to again and again. So grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a warm, satisfying dinner that feels both special and simple.
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Ham & Potato Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free flour substitution)
Description
This Ham & Potato Casserole is a creamy, savory, and comforting dish combining thinly sliced potatoes, diced ham, and melted cheese baked to golden perfection. Ideal for family dinners, it is easy to prepare, customizable with various cheeses, herbs, and vegetables, and features a rich, flavorful sauce that binds all ingredients together in a satisfying one-pan meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups thinly sliced Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes
- 2 cups diced cooked ham
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (or your preferred cheese blend)
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 cup sour cream (or 1 can cream soup of choice)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
- 2 cups milk or cream
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Optional Variations
- 1 cup chopped broccoli, bell peppers, or mushrooms (for vegetable boost)
- Red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños (for spicy kick)
- Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives (for herbal freshness)
- Dairy-free cheese and coconut cream (for dairy-free option)
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Wash and slice the potatoes thinly and evenly to ensure they cook uniformly and absorb the sauce well.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Whisk in flour to create a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually add milk or cream while stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, stirring to combine a rich, smooth base.
- Layer the Ingredients: Grease a casserole dish. Layer half of the sliced potatoes evenly, then spread a generous layer of diced ham, chopped onions, and shredded cheese. Pour half of the creamy sauce over the top. Repeat the layers with remaining potatoes, ham, onions, cheese, and sauce.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the casserole with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 45 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to brown the cheese topping and form a delicious crust.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the layers to set and meld together, making it easier to cut and serve.
Notes
- Use a mandoline slicer for uniformly thin potato slices that cook evenly.
- Bake at a moderate temperature to soften potatoes without drying out the dish.
- Allow the casserole to rest after baking to improve texture and flavor melding.
- Choose good-quality, fully cooked ham for best taste.
- Mix different cheeses for a richer and more complex flavor profile.
- Cover casserole while baking to prevent drying out.
- Adjust ingredients and seasonings to accommodate dietary needs or preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg