Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

When you’re looking for the perfect way to use up leftover ham or bring comfort food to your dinner table, this old fashioned scalloped potatoes and ham recipe is exactly what you need.

Layers of thinly-sliced potatoes and chunks of savory ham are baked in a creamy sauce, creating a dish that is as cozy as it is delicious. Whether you’re making this for a Sunday dinner or holiday meal, it’s guaranteed to please everyone at the table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for gatherings: This casserole dish is large enough to feed a crowd, making it great for a cozy family dinner or holiday meal. 
• Great use for leftover ham: This recipe is a wonderful way to use leftover holiday ham, like from Easter or Christmas dinners.
• Delicious comfort food: The combination of tender potatoes and creamy white sauce makes this dish a warm, hearty favorite.
• Simple ingredients: With basics like butter, flour, and milk, this recipe is easy to whip up using pantry staples.
• Customizable: Add your favorite cheese and toppings.

This Ham and Scalloped potatoes casserole is great for dinner any day of the week and I love that it makes enough for leftovers too! It is actually a very budget-friendly recipe!

Ingredients for cheesy scalloped potatoes

• Butter
• Onion, diced
• Thyme
• Dried parsley
• Flour
• Heavy cream
• Half-and-half, or milk
• Chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Potatoes, cleaned and thinly sliced
• Cooked ham, diced
• Cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
• Monterey jack cheese, or your favorite cheese (optional)

Equipment and kitchen tools

• 13×9 baking dish

How to make easy scalloped potatoes

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. and grease a 13×9 baking dish. In a medium saucepan, cook onions and butter over medium heat until onions are soft and translucent.  
2. Add in thyme, parsley, and flour.
3. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Turn heat to low and add in milk a little at a time, whisking between each addition.
5. Stir in chicken broth, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil and cook for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
6. Layer ⅓ of the potatoes on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
7. Top potatoes with ⅔ cup of the ham and about 1 cup of the sauce. Repeat layers until the dish is full.
8. Cover and bake for 50 minutes. Uncover the dish and bake for an additional 20–30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. If you desire, add cheese to the top during the last 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving. 

Tips for the Best Results

• Use a mandoline slicer: To get perfectly thin slices of potatoes, a mandoline is the best way to ensure even cooking time and tender potatoes.
• Layer potatoes evenly: Place half of the potatoes in the baking dish, top with ham and sauce, then repeat the layers for the best texture throughout the casserole.
• Cheese topping: For a rich, cheesy flavor, add sharp cheddar or Gruyere cheese to the top layer during the last 15 minutes of baking.
• Let it rest: After baking, allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps the sauce thicken and makes for easier serving.
• Choose the right potatoes: Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes work best for this dish, as they hold up well during baking and absorb the creamy sauce.
• Check for doneness: If you’re worried that the potatoes aren’t done cooking, just pierce one with a fork. If it’s fork-tender, the potatoes are cooked and ready to eat.
• Double it up: Double the recipe and freeze one for a complete frozen dinner that will be ready when you need it. 

Substitutions and Variations

• Potatoes: While Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal for their buttery texture, you can use russet or red potatoes as well.
• Cheese: For a twist, try adding Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or white cheddar cheese for extra flavor. You can also omit the cheese for a lighter version.
• Milk options: Substitute the heavy cream and half-and-half with whole milk or a mixture of milk and cream of mushroom soup for a different creamy sauce.
• Slow cooker: You can prepare this recipe in a crock pot by layering the ingredients and cooking on low for 4-6 hours.
• Vegetables: Add green beans or broccoli to make this a more complete meal and increase the nutrient content of the dish.

FAQs About This Recipe

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