Cheesy Ham and Potato Bake: A Creamy, Golden Comfort-Food Casserole

Cheesy Ham and Potato Bake is a warm, hearty casserole made with tender sliced potatoes, savory ham, creamy sauce, and melted cheese. It is the kind of dish that feels homemade, filling, and satisfying without being complicated. This recipe is especially useful when you have leftover ham, but it is also delicious enough to make from scratch for a family dinner.

The potatoes become soft as they bake, the ham adds smoky flavor, and the cheese melts into the creamy sauce to create a rich, golden topping. It works well as a main dish with a salad or vegetables, or as a side dish for holidays, potlucks, and Sunday dinners.

Ingredients

For the Potato Bake

• 5 to 6 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 cups cooked ham, diced or chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• ½ cup heavy cream, optional for extra richness
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, optional

For the Topping

• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, optional
• ½ cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs, optional
• 1 tablespoon melted butter, optional

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 375°F / 190°C.

Grease a medium baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. A 9×13 inch baking dish works well if you are making a family-sized portion.

Greasing the dish helps prevent the potatoes and cheese from sticking to the bottom and sides.

Step 2: Slice the Potatoes

Wash and peel the potatoes. Slice them thinly, about ⅛ inch thick.

Thin slices are important because they cook evenly and become soft inside the casserole. A mandoline slicer makes this easier, but a sharp knife also works.

After slicing, place the potatoes in cold water for a few minutes to remove extra starch. Drain them well and pat them dry before layering. This helps the sauce stay creamy instead of gummy.

Step 3: Prepare the Ham

Cut the cooked ham into small cubes or bite-sized pieces.

You can use leftover baked ham, ham steak, smoked ham, or deli ham cut thick. Smoked ham gives the casserole the best flavor because it seasons the creamy sauce while baking.

Since ham is already salty, be careful not to add too much salt to the sauce.

Step 4: Cook the Onion and Garlic

Place a saucepan over medium heat and add the butter.

When the butter melts, add the chopped onion. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and lightly fragrant.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Stir constantly so the garlic does not burn.

This step gives the casserole a deeper homemade flavor instead of tasting only like cheese and potatoes.

Step 5: Make the Creamy Sauce

Sprinkle the flour over the cooked onion and garlic. Stir for about 1 minute until the flour absorbs the butter and forms a light paste.

Slowly pour in the milk while whisking. Add the milk gradually so the sauce stays smooth and does not form lumps.

Add the heavy cream if using. Continue stirring until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.

The sauce should be creamy but not too thick because it will continue to thicken while baking.

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