Description
A comforting and hearty Ham and Potato Casserole featuring tender russet potatoes, savory diced ham, and a creamy cheese sauce baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a family dinner or a satisfying meal any time of year.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce and Base
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (¼ stick)
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1¼ cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
- ½ cup chicken stock (or chicken broth)
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and diced small
- 2½ cups diced cooked ham (precooked chicken or turkey also works)
- 4 oz freshly shredded white cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook Onions: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until the onion becomes translucent and soft, stirring occasionally.
- Make Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked onions in the saucepan and stir well to combine. Slowly add the whole milk and chicken stock while stirring continuously. Season the mixture with sea salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Continue cooking the sauce while stirring often until it is warmed through and slightly thickened.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the diced potatoes evenly at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer the diced ham over the potatoes. Pour the prepared milk and onion sauce mixture evenly over the ham and potatoes to coat completely.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, allowing the potatoes to cook through and the flavors to meld.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven and evenly sprinkle the shredded white cheddar cheese on top. Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and the potatoes are tender.
- Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving warm. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy, and savory flavors of this delicious ham and potato dish.
Notes
- You can substitute the ham with precooked chicken or turkey for a lighter variation.
- Use russet potatoes as they hold up well and become tender without breaking down.
- To speed up cooking, you can parboil the potatoes before assembling the casserole.
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste; adding a pinch of smoked paprika or thyme can add extra depth.
- For a richer dish, replace whole milk with half-and-half or add a bit of cream cheese to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ham and potato casserole, cheesy potato casserole, baked ham dinner, comfort food casserole, easy family casserole
