Amazing 1 Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Oh, my friends, when the air gets cool and you just need a dish that feels like a warm embrace around your whole family, nothing beats something bubbling hot from the oven. Today, Amaya and I are sharing the recipe that always brings smiles to our table: the Ultimate Creamy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Casserole. Trust me when I say this dish—our version of scalloped potatoes and ham—is pure magic. It’s the ultimate comfort food casserole dinners solution, especially when you have leftover ham from a big holiday feast. I always remind Amaya that sharing these favorite recipes is why we started Whisk Daily! We’ve perfected this layering technique over the years to ensure those potato slices are never crunchy, only tender and smothered in that rich, savory ham and cream sauce potatoes blend. I just know you are going to love making this!

Why This Creamy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Casserole is a Family Favorite

When I look back at our meals over the decades, it’s these heavy, rich casseroles that stick in my memory. This recipe for creamy scalloped potatoes and ham isn’t just food; it’s a guarantee of a cozy evening. It hits every mark when you need hearty potato side dish!

• Ultimate Comfort in Every Layer: Imagine those perfectly tender potato layers sinking into that savory cheese sauce. It’s the definition of comfort food casserole dinners, warm and satisfying from the very first forkful.
• Perfect Leftover Ham Recipes Casserole Solution: This dish truly shines when you use up ham. It transforms humble leftovers into something truly special for the weeknight table. We always look forward to making this after a holiday! We use this trick often, just like we do when making split pea soup with ham.

Essential Ingredients for the Best Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

To achieve those beautiful baked cheesy potato layers, you need to use the ingredients exactly as listed here. Don’t skimp on the quality, especially with the milk and cheese. That combination of cheddar and Gruyère is what makes this dish our go-to when we need a rich, comforting meal. We also love finding new ways to use our ham leftovers, which is why this recipe, similar to my creamy ham salad, is always on rotation!

• 3 lbs Russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
• 2 cups diced cooked ham (leftover ham works well)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk, warmed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions for Classic Ham and Potato Bake

Now that everything is prepped, it’s time to assemble this masterpiece! Patience is key here, especially when building the sauce so that it becomes thick and luxurious. Remember, we are aiming for that perfect classic ham and potato bake texture. If you’ve ever made a simple white sauce before, you’ll find this very similar, but packed with so much more flavor than basic recipes! Since you are spending all this time layering, make sure your potato slicing is spot on. If you love potato dishes, you might also want to check out my tips on twice-baked potatoes ultimate recipe!

Preparing the Creamy Cheese Sauce

First, you must get your oven heating up right away to 375°F (190°C) and grease that 9×13 inch dish. Over on the stove, melt your butter in a big saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s melted, whisk in the flour right away and cook it for just one minute—this is the roux, the base of all creamy goodness! Now, the important part: whisk in the warm milk slowly, making sure you don’t get any lumps. Keep stirring until that sauce gets thick enough to coat the back of your spoon. This usually takes about five to seven minutes. Take it off the heat before you add the spices (salt, pepper, nutmeg) and stir in almost all of your cheeses—save that last bit of cheddar for the top! That beautiful mixture is your savory ham and cream sauce potatoes base.

Layering Your Cheesy Potato Casserole with Ham

It’s time to build! In the prepared baking dish, spread out half of your thinly sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle half of your diced ham right over those potatoes. Then, pour half of that glorious cheese sauce over everything. Don’t try to cover every single spot perfectly; the sauce will flow when it bakes. Repeat that whole sequence: remaining potatoes, remaining ham, and then pour over all the rest of that rich sauce.

Baking and Achieving Golden Perfection

Cover your casserole dish tightly with foil—this traps the steam and cooks those potato layers until they are perfectly tender. Pop it into the oven for 45 minutes like that. After 45 minutes, carefully take the foil off and sprinkle that reserved cheddar cheese right on top. Slide it back in, uncovered this time, for another 20 to 30 minutes. You are looking for that bubbly, golden-brown top. When you poke a fork in and it slides right through those potatoes without any resistance, you know you’ve achieved the best scalloped potatoes always! Let it rest for ten minutes before you serve it up. You deserve every creamy bite!

Expert Tips for Perfect Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Amaya often teases me about my obsession with uniformity, but when it comes to this casserole, she knows I’m right! Getting the consistency right in your ingredients is what separates an okay dish from the best scalloped potatoes always. If your layers are uneven, some bits turn to mush while others are still hard. We don’t want that! We want that lovely, tender bake throughout. Speaking of slicing, I remember the first time I tried to slice too fast by hand—I ended up with a few very thick slices, and Kenji kept pointing them out during dinner! After that, I learned my lesson.

If you’re nervous about the knife, don’t worry, I have options for you so you can focus on the wonderful savory ham and cream sauce potatoes part of the process.

Achieving Thin, Even Potato Slices

Uniformity, friends, is key here. You want the potato slices to be about 1/8 of an inch thick. This allows them to absorb the creamy sauce properly while baking. If you have a mandoline slicer, this is the absolute perfect time to use it! Just be careful; those slicers are fast! But if you don’t have one, grab your sharpest knife and take your time peeling and slicing carefully. Seriously, put on some quiet music and just focus on making each slice as close to the last as you can. It makes such a difference in the final texture!

Flavor Boosts for Your Savory Ham and Cream Sauce Potatoes

While our core recipe is already wonderfully rich, sometimes I like to add just a little ‘kick’ to the cheese sauce when I take it off the heat. It brightens up the creaminess nicely. A small teaspoon of Dijon mustard stirred into the sauce at the end—right before you fold in the cheese—adds a tangy depth that is just wonderful with the ham. Or, if you like a little warmth, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper works wonders! Don’t go overboard, just enough to let you know it’s there. These little adjustments keep our tried-and-true recipes feeling fresh. For more rich, warming flavors, you should look at how Amaya makes her creamy potato soup!

Variations: Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

I know, I know! Sometimes the oven is already packed because you’re making a big holiday meal, or maybe it’s just too hot to turn the oven on, even if you’re making a comforting winter meals dish like this. That’s why I am so happy that this recipe adapts perfectly for the slow cooker! If you’ve ever wondered how to make slow cooker scalloped potatoes and ham that tastes just as amazing as the oven version, you are in the right place. It’s wonderful because it frees up your oven entirely!

You get the same rich, cheesy potato layers, but the potatoes seem to steam even more gently in the slow cooker, yielding a super-soft result. If you’ve been looking for ways to simplify your prep time, you should really check out my guide on crockpot chili secrets—it uses a similar low-and-slow method that I love.

Here’s how you transition this dish into a wonderful crock pot cheesy ham potatoes experience. We’re using the same delicious cheese sauce we made earlier, but the cooking time changes quite a bit.

1. First, make sure your slow cooker insert is well greased!
2. Then, follow the exact layering instructions from the oven method: half the potatoes, half the ham, half the sauce; then repeat with the remaining layers.
3. Cover the layers with your remaining cheese mixture.
4. Now, this is the important adjustment: Cook on the LOW setting for about 6 to 7 hours. If you are short on time, you can cook it on HIGH for about 3 to 4 hours.

Just like the oven version, you want to add that very last sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top for the last 30 minutes of cooking. This way, it melts beautifully without burning. For a real look at another fantastic slow cooker recipe that people love, take a peek at this recipe for scalloped potatoes and ham found online. It’s so satisfying to pull a piping hot, ready-to-eat meal out of the slow cooker!

Make Ahead Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Storage

Oh, I absolutely love planning ahead! In our home, the day before a big dinner or busy weekend, the last thing I want to do is scramble. That’s why knowing how to prep this dish early is such a lifesaver for making easy scalloped potatoes with ham feel even easier. This recipe is wonderful for meal prep, which is something I’ve gotten very good at since moving to the city! I actually think making it ahead sometimes makes the potato layers even nicer, though you do need to watch the baking time carefully.

If you want to manage your time like a pro, you can absolutely assemble the entire casserole ahead of time. This is my secret to stress-free entertaining. For those of you who use your freezer often, these can even be frozen, though refrigerator storage is simpler for a day or two. For more ideas on easy make-ahead breakfasts, I always recommend checking out this wonderful egg bake recipe.

Here is the simple process for getting your make ahead scalloped potatoes ready to go:

1. Assemble everything exactly as you would for baking: layer the potatoes, ham, and pour all that beautiful cheese sauce over the top. Before baking, cover the dish very tightly with plastic wrap and then maybe a layer of foil just for extra protection in the fridge.
2. Keep it chilled in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours. If you leave it longer, the potatoes can start to absorb too much liquid and get a little soft looking.
3. When it’s baking time, take the dish straight from the fridge and put it into the preheated oven. Because it is going in cold, you need to add about 10 to 15 minutes extra time to the covered baking stage.

You want to make sure the center is piping hot and the potatoes are tender, just like normal. Once that’s done, uncover it, add your final layer of cheese, and bake until golden. If you’re looking for another super simple recipe that also handles leftovers well, take a look at this easy scalloped potatoes and ham preparation video I saw recently. Being prepared just makes life so much sweeter!

Serving Suggestions for Your Hearty Potato Side Dish

Now, this cheesy potato casserole with ham is certainly rich—it’s got potatoes, cream, butter, and cheese! When you are serving such a deeply flavorful and comforting meal, you don’t want to weigh the table down with more heavy sides. The best accompaniment is something bright and simple that cuts right through that creamy goodness. Think about what you’d serve alongside a hearty winter meal; you want balance! To make this a complete family favorite potato recipe, we always pair it with something green. If you are looking for a perfect bread pairing, you simply must look at how Amaya makes her buttermilk cornbread—it’s amazing for soaking up any extra sauce left in the dish!

Balancing Richness with Freshness

Since our casserole is so satisfying on its own, the side dish should be quick and fresh. I highly recommend keeping the greens light! A simple steamed vegetable, like bright green beans tossed with just a little lemon zest and maybe a tiny bit of butter, works beautifully. The acidity from the lemon wakes up the palate after all that creamy cheese. Another wonderful option is a very crisp, lightly dressed side salad. We usually just use butter lettuce, thinly sliced cucumber, and a simple vinaigrette made from white wine vinegar and olive oil. No heavy dressings allowed here! This contrast between the heavy, warm casserole and the crisp, cool side is what makes the entire meal feel balanced, even though it is true comfort food!

Frequently Asked Questions About Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

It’s always wonderful that you all ask about these little nuances! When you are making a classic dish like this, sometimes the details make the biggest difference between a good meal and a truly memorable one. We want every attempt at these easy scalloped potatoes with ham to be perfect, just like the ones Amaya and I make here in our New York kitchen. If you have questions about making sure your sauce stays thick or what potatoes to pick, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve answered the most common ones below, and if you have more, don’t hesitate to ask—we always love an excuse to talk food. If you want to see some other hearty meals we love, check out this vegetable beef soup recipe!

What is the best potato to use for scalloped potatoes and ham?

This is such a great question because the starch content affects the final thickness of your sauce! We specified Russet potatoes in the main recipe because their lower moisture and higher starch content help absorb the sauce beautifully, keeping the structure of those individual layers defined as they cook. Russets give you that classic, hearty, slightly fluffy texture inside the layer. However, if you prefer a slightly creamier, almost buttery texture throughout the whole casserole—less defined layers and more melt—you can absolutely swap them out for Yukon Golds. We’ve tried both, and both result in delicious scalloped potatoes and ham outcomes!

Can I use fresh ham instead of cooked ham in this recipe?

Yes, you certainly can, but there is a very important step you must take! Our recipe relies on using pre-cooked ham because it only needs to be heated through and absorb the flavor of the sauce. If you use raw, fresh ham, your cooking time will be drastically different, and the ham might release too much moisture into your sauce, making it runnier. If you only have a fresh ham roast, I strongly suggest cooking it first—roast it or simmer it until it’s already done—and then dicing it up for layering. It’s truly better to have that cooked ham ready before you start building your casserole layers. If you’re curious about other recipes that utilize cooked ham well, check out this great link here!

Share Your Ultimate Creamy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Experience

Now that you have the secrets to the ultimate creamy cheesy scalloped potatoes and ham casserole, we truly hope you give it a try! Amaya and I love reading what you think. Did you add a different cheese? Did you make the slow cooker version? Please leave a comment below telling us your favorite part, what you served it with, or any little twists you added to make it yours. We always enjoy feeling that connection to your kitchen! If you need to reach out directly, you can always find our contact page here.

Print