Ham and potato casserole is a classic comfort food dish that is perfect for cold winter nights or for any time you want a hearty and satisfying meal. This dish is made with layers of sliced potatoes, diced ham, and a creamy sauce that is flavored with onions, garlic, and cheese.
How To Make:
To make ham and potato casserole, start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Next, slice your potatoes thinly and set them aside. You can use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to make this step easier. Dice your ham into small pieces and set them aside as well.
In a large skillet, melt some adulation over medium heat. Add diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté them until they are soft and fragrant. Next, whisk in some flour to create a roux. Gradually add in some milk, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thick and creamy.
Stir in some shredded cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella, until it is melted and combined with the sauce. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you prefer, such as paprika or thyme.
To assemble the casserole, place a layer of sliced potatoes in the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spoon a layer of the ham on top of the potatoes. Pour a layer of the creamy sauce over the ham. Repeat these layers until all the ingredients are used up, making sure to end with a layer of sauce on top.
Cover the dish with antipode and singe for 45 twinkles. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Let the dish cool for many twinkles before serving. You can embellish it with diced fresh parsley or green onions for a pop of color and flavor. This dish is perfect for a family dinner or for meal prepping for the week ahead. Enjoy!
Here are some tips and variations :
Use a combination of cheeses: Instead of using just one type of cheese, try using a combination of cheeses such as cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan to give your casserole a more complex flavor.
Add veggies: You can add some vegetables to the casserole such as sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or frozen peas to make it even more nutritious.
Make it spicy: If you like your food spicy, you can add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the creamy sauce.
Precook the potatoes: If you want to shorten the cooking time, you can pre-cook the sliced potatoes by boiling them in salted water for 5-7 minutes before layering them in the baking dish.
Use leftover ham: This casserole is a great way to use up leftover ham from a holiday meal. You can also use bacon or sausage instead of ham.
Make it gluten-free: To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free flour such as rice flour or cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
Add breadcrumbs: For a crunchy topping, sprinkle some breadcrumbs over the top of the casserole before baking.
Make it ahead of time: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just be sure to cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs of potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 cups of cooked ham, diced
- 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with adulation or cuisine spray.
Peel and thinly slice your potatoes using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife. Set aside.
Dice your cooked ham into small pieces and set them aside as well.
In a large skillet, melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté them until they are soft and fragrant.
Whisk in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour to create a roux. Gradually add in 2 cups of whole milk, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thick and creamy.
Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until it is melted and combined with the sauce. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and any other seasonings you prefer.
To assemble the casserole, place a layer of sliced potatoes in the bottom of the greased baking dish. Spoon a layer of the ham on top of the potatoes. Pour a layer of the creamy sauce over the ham. Repeat these layers until all the ingredients are used up, making sure to end with a layer of sauce on top.
Cover the dish with antipode and singe for 45 twinkles. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Let the dish cool for many twinkles before serving. You can embellish it with diced fresh parsley or green onions for a pop of color and flavor.
Enjoy your delicious Recipe!