Ham And Potato Casserole

Name: Ham and Potato Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 110 min
Ingredients: 6 russet potatoes (medium-sized, washed); 1 ½ cups precooked ham (diced); 4 tablespoons butter; ½ cup red onion (finely chopped); 2 ½ cups whole milk; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon sea salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Easy ham and potato casserole with a creamy, milk-based sauce. Diced ham, thinly sliced potatoes and carmelized onions with salt and pepper for a simple, delicous meal.

JUMP TO RECIPE PRINT RECIPE

This ham and potato recipe is a casserole made for comfort… Let’s take a moment to thank the genius who thought of curing ham. It’s just too good! And naturally, pairing ham with potatoes (which are basically the MVPs of the starch world) is a no-brainer. Now, I won’t sugarcoat it—this potatoes and ham recipe? It’s not exactly what you’d call “healthy eating”. It’s the kinda casserole you make when you need a comforting bite of carbs, meat, and buttery creaminess ASAP. So, here’s to comfy indulgence!

Overhead shot of a round glass baking dish filled with scalloped potatoes and ham, with a portion scooped out onto a white plate and raw potatoes beside it

My Ham and Potato Casserole Recipe At A Glance

Primary Cooking Method: Sautéing and Baking
Main Protein: Ham
Number of Ingredients: 6 (excluding salt & pepper)
Total Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Level of Effort To Make: Easy Peasy
(Learn more about our recipe effort levels)

Why Add This Easy Ham and Potato Casserole To Your Meal Plan

Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen—potatoes, milk, butter, and a bit of flour. The only trip you might need is a quick dash to grab some pre-cooked ham if you don’t have any on hand.
Comfort Food: There’s something about the combination of tender potatoes and ham in a rich, creamy sauce that just feels like a warm hug. It’s comfort food at its finest!
Effortlessly Quick Prep: Getting this dish oven-ready takes just about 10 minutes of your time. A few slices here, a quick sauté there, and a simple layering in the dish before it all goes into the oven to become that bubbly, golden-brown delight.

6 Ingredients To Make Ham and Potato Casserole

Overhead shot of ingredients to make scalloped potatoes and ham on the table before mixing

Idaho/Russet Potatoes: I use medium-sized potatoes and keep the skins on because, hey, we’re all about saving time, right? But if you’re not a fan of potato skins, feel free to peel them.
Precooked Ham: Dice it up! Any type of cooked ham will do the trick here. Whether you’ve got leftovers or you pick up a chunk from the store, it’s all good.
Butter: For sautéing the onions.
Onion: Sweet, yellow, white—whatever you’ve got.
All-Purpose Flour: This is our thickening agent for the sauce. Just a few tablespoons are enough to get our smooth consistency.
Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adjust to your taste, but they’re essential for bringing out all the flavors of this old fashioned scalloped potatoes and ham recipe.
Whole Milk: The creamy part of our sauce. If you’re looking to lighten things up, 2% milk can step in as a sub.

Make This Recipe Yours With Ingredient Substitutions & Additions

Scalloped CHEESY Potatoes and Ham: Top your potatoes and ham with a generous layer of freshly shredded cheese. Think sharp cheddar or gruyere for a golden crust.
Herbs: Freshen up the dish by incorporating a mix of herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley. These can be mixed in with the potatoes or sprinkled on top before baking.
Add Bell Pepper: Dice red, yellow, or green bell pepper and cook with the onions to add color and some additional sweetness.
Protein Swap: While ham is a classic, don’t be afraid to experiment with other proteins. Crumbled bacon, shredded chicken, or even sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
Add Crunch: For an added texture contrast, sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs mixed with a little melted butter over the top before the final stretch of baking. This will give you a crispy, crunchy topping!

How To Make Scalloped Cheesy Potatoes And Ham

For detailed step-by-step instructions, be sure to check out the full recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Thinly slice the potatoes to about ⅛ inch thickness and chop the onion. Set aside.

Over medium heat, melt the butter in a large saucepan.

Once the butter melts, toss in the onions, sautéing until translucent and soft.

Combine the flour, salt, and pepper with the onions, mixing until you have a thick, clumpy mixture.

Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly.

Bring to a boil for a minute, or until the sauce thickens.

Add sliced potatoes and ham to the baking dish.

Mix them evenly.

Drizzle the creamy sauce over the layered potatoes and ham, ensuring an even distribution.

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 1 hour or 1 hour and 10 minutes, until the top turns golden brown and the potatoes are fork-tender.

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Serving of scalloped potatoes and ham on a white plate with a fork, with raw potatoes and a bowl with more scalloped potatoes in the background

My Best Cooking Tips for Making a Ham and Potato Casserole

Use a Mandoline: To get the potatoes evenly sliced, whip out a mandoline slicer. It’s your BFF for achieving uniformly thin slices. Just watch those fingers and use the guard!
Patience with the Sauce: When making your sauce, patience is key. Cook it on a medium-low heat to prevent the milk from scalding and to ensure the flour cooks down, avoiding that raw flour taste.
Layering the Casserole: Think about even distribution when assembling your potatoes and ham. Ensure each layer of potatoes gets a fair share of ham, onions, and sauce to make every bite as good as the last.
Let It Rest: After pulling the casserole out of the oven, give it a little time to sit. Allowing it to rest for about 10 minutes will thicken up the sauce and let all those wonderful flavors really come together.

Menu Ideas – What to Eat with Scalloped Cheesy Potatoes And Ham

Side Salad: A refreshing side salad is the perfect counterbalance to the creamy richness of scalloped potatoes and ham. Could be a crisp apple and walnut salad, a classic Caesar salad, or maybe a beet and goat cheese salad. The earthy flavors of the beets with the creamy goat cheese… Chef’s kiss!
Main Dishes: If you’re thinking about what main dishes work best, lemme tell you, the options are endless. I’m talking about lemon chicken, Greek chicken, garlic chicken, meatloaf, and more!
Desserts: Angel food cake, light and fluffy, is my go-to. If you’re a fudge fan, vanilla fudge offers a creamy, decadent finish without being overly heavy. A strawberry trifle is a dessert that always gets rave reviews whenever I serve it after this potatoes and ham recipe.

A forkful of scalloped potatoes and ham held above a plate with a serving of scalloped potatoes, with raw potatoes and a bowl with more scalloped potatoes in the background

How To Store & Reheat Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

If you’ve got any leftovers, let the potatoes and ham cool to room temperature before you tuck it away. Transfer to an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and store in the fridge. It will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days.

I don’t recommend freezing cooked potatoes, they get super soggy when thawed, but if you want to, you can freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat, the oven is the way to go. Preheat your oven to 350°F and cover the casserole with foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat it through for about 20 minutes or until it’s nice and warm. If you’re in a hurry, individual servings can be zapped in the microwave. Just pop a slice on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel, and heat it on high for a minute or two.

Quick Recipe Help and Common Questions

Why Are My Potatoes Hard?

Maybe they were sliced too thickly, or the oven temperature wasn’t quite right. Ensuring your potato slices are thin and even is KEY. Also, make sure your oven is properly preheated and cooking at the right temp.

Can I Prep These Scalloped Potatoes And Ham Ahead Of Time?

Yes, up to a day in advance! Just follow the recipe to assemble everything in your baking dish, then cover it up and pop it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, take it out and let it come to room temperature as you preheat your oven.

Can I use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the sauce?

Absolutely! Make a slurry with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water, and slowly whisk into the sauce on the stove.

Close up of a glass baking dish filled with scalloped potatoes and ham, topped with a browned, cheesy crust. A portion has been removed, showing layers

I want to hear from you!

If you try this easy ham and potato casserole recipe or any other of my recipes on Meal Planning blueprints, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! I read all the comments and respond!

Overhead shot of a serving of scalloped potatoes and ham on a white plate with a fork

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