Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole

There is something wonderfully comforting about a bubbling casserole coming out of the oven, especially when it is filled with tender potatoes, savory ham, and plenty of melted cheese. This Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole is the kind of hearty, family-friendly dish that turns simple ingredients into a satisfying meal.

Creamy sauce coats every bite of potato while diced ham adds a salty, savory flavor. A generous layer of melted cheese on top finishes everything beautifully, creating a golden crust that makes this casserole especially hard to resist.

It is also a practical recipe for using leftover ham, making it a great choice after a holiday dinner or whenever you have a few extra ingredients waiting in the refrigerator.

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight but comforting enough to serve at a family gathering. The ingredients are inexpensive, the preparation is straightforward, and most of the cooking happens in the oven.

The combination of potatoes and ham makes the casserole filling, while the creamy cheese sauce keeps it rich and flavorful. You can also easily adapt the recipe by adding vegetables, changing the cheese, or adjusting the seasonings.

Ingredients

For a standard 9-by-13-inch casserole, you will need:

• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 cups cooked ham, diced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

Optional Additions

For extra flavor or variety, consider adding:

• Steamed broccoli
• Frozen peas
• Diced bell peppers
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Cooked bacon
• A pinch of dried thyme
• A little Dijon mustard in the cheese sauce

If your ham is particularly salty, taste the sauce before adding additional salt.

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Peel the potatoes and slice them into thin, evenly sized rounds. Aim for slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

Keeping the slices relatively uniform is important because it helps them cook at the same rate. Very thick pieces may remain firm while thinner pieces become overly soft.

After slicing, set the potatoes aside while you prepare the sauce.

Step 2: Prepare the Ham and Onion

Dice the cooked ham into small, bite-sized pieces. If you are using leftover ham, remove any particularly large pieces of fat before chopping.

Finely dice the onion.

You can use the ham as-is, but for an extra layer of flavor, sauté the onion in a small skillet with a little butter until softened. Add the diced ham during the final couple of minutes and cook just until warmed through.

Set the mixture aside.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce

The sauce is what brings the entire casserole together.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour.

Continue whisking for about 1 minute. This creates a simple roux that will thicken the sauce.

Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously. Adding the milk gradually helps prevent lumps from forming.

Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture begins to thicken, usually about 3 to 5 minutes.

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt.

Add about 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, reserving the rest for the top.

Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

Do not let the sauce boil vigorously after adding the cheese. Gentle heat will help keep the sauce smooth.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

Arrange approximately one-third of the sliced potatoes across the bottom of the dish.

Spread one-third of the ham and onion mixture over the potatoes.

Pour some of the cheese sauce over the top.

Repeat the layers until all of the potatoes, ham, and sauce have been used.

Try to distribute the ingredients evenly so every serving contains a good mixture of potatoes, ham, and creamy sauce.

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