Description
Hearty Scalloped Ham and Potatoes blend layers of tender potatoes and savory ham in a rich, creamy sauce that whisks you straight to home-cooked comfort. Cheesy, golden-topped goodness promises a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4.5 russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch thick)
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Dairy and Cream Components:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light layer of lubricant to prevent adherence and create easy removal.
- Carefully slice potatoes into delicate, uniform rounds approximately 1/8-inch thick, ensuring consistent cooking and texture throughout the dish.
- Construct a velvety sauce foundation by melting butter in a spacious saucepan, introducing minced garlic to release aromatic essence for approximately 30 seconds.
- Transform the butter mixture into a roux by incorporating flour and whisking vigorously, developing a rich base for the creamy sauce.
- Gradually introduce heavy cream and milk while continuously stirring to eliminate potential lumps, creating a smooth and luxurious sauce consistency.
- Enhance the sauce with salt, pepper, and paprika, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken for roughly 5 minutes until it reaches a luxurious consistency.
- Create alternating layers of thinly sliced potatoes and diced ham within the prepared baking dish, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Generously cascade the prepared sauce over the layered ingredients, meticulously coating each potato and ham piece for maximum flavor integration.
- Distribute shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, creating a golden, melted blanket that will develop a tantalizingly crisp exterior.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 45 minutes, then uncover to allow the top to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece during an additional 30-minute baking period.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, enabling the sauce to set and making serving more manageable and aesthetically pleasing.
Notes
- Slice potatoes uniformly using a mandoline for consistent thickness and even cooking throughout the dish.
- Opt for starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold to create a creamier, more binding texture in the casserole.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium ham and checking salt content in added cheese to make the recipe heart-friendly.
- Explore vegetarian alternatives by substituting ham with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or cauliflower for a plant-based version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg