Amazing 450-Calorie Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

If I could bottle up the feeling of pure, unhurried comfort, it would smell exactly like this dish baking in the oven. Seriously! We all crave those reliable, cozy meals, and that’s exactly what Devour Dish is all about. Today, I’m sharing what I think is the absolute best scalloped potatoes and ham recipe you will ever make. Forget dry, disappointing layers—this is the ultimate, cheesy, creamy casserole that’s incredible for busy weeknights, and the perfect way to transform any leftover ham you have hanging around, similar to how we use it in my classic hearty split pea soup with ham. Trust me, this recipe is straightforward, totally dependable, and guaranteed to become a staple at your table, just like it is in mine.

Why This Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Casserole is Your New Favorite Comfort Food Dinner Ideas

When you need comfort food dinner ideas that actually deliver, this is the recipe you reach for. I designed this cheesy scalloped potatoes with ham to be the definition of worry-free cooking. It hits all the right notes for family friendly weeknight meals: it’s impossibly creamy thanks to that homemade sauce, the cheese melts into every nook and cranny, and the assembly is simple enough for a busy Tuesday.

We aren’t dealing with fussy techniques here; everything is mixed, layered, and baked. It results in that beautiful, golden-brown top that just screams “welcome home.” If you’re looking for reliable cozy meals, this casserole is it. For more simple, comforting mains, check out my ideas for easy cabbage rolls or a fun one-pan pizza casserole!

Perfect for How to Use Leftover Ham

This casserole is truly my favorite way to tackle how to use leftover ham after a big holiday gathering. Instead of just slicing that ham up for sandwiches again, you turn it into the star of a whole new hearty dinner! The savory, salty notes from the ham bake beautifully into the creamy layers, making the whole dish feel extra special without any extra work from you. It’s a total game-changer for post-holiday meals.

Gathering Ingredients for Your Easy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Casserole

I always tell people that half the success of any great scalloped potatoes and ham recipe is having your ingredients lined up and ready to go. This keeps the process smooth, especially when building that rich sauce! You don’t need anything complicated here, which I love, because simple ingredients make the best comfort food dinner ideas.

For this easy scalloped potatoes and ham casserole, here is exactly what you need to pull together:

• About 3 lbs of Russet potatoes—make sure they are peeled and thinly sliced. This is crucial for uniform cooking, so don’t skip the peeling!
• One pound of fully cooked ham, diced into nice little pieces.
• A half cup of the best unsalted butter you have—we need that fat for the roux.
• A half cup of all-purpose flour to thicken things up.
• Four cups of whole milk. Whole milk creates the creamiest potato casserole, trust me.
• One teaspoon of salt, a half teaspoon of black pepper, and just a tiny pinch of nutmeg—nutmeg is my secret weapon in creamy white sauces!
• Two cups of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, and make sure you divide this!
• And finally, one cup of Gruyere cheese, shredded. It adds the best nutty depth to our rich potato gratin with ham.

That’s it! With these components ready, we are set to build this incredible ham and potato bake.

Expert Tips for the Best Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Recipe

If you want this scalloped potatoes and ham recipe to shine, we need to talk technical details. My goal is always to give you results that taste like you’ve been working on them all day, even if you haven’t! First things first: always use starchy potatoes, like Russets. They break down just enough while baking to release starch, which is how you get that signature creaminess in your creamy potato casserole. Don’t try to sneak in waxy potatoes here; they just won’t cooperate!

Next up is slicing. Uniformity is everything. If you have one thick slice and one paper-thin slice, the thin one will turn to mush before the thick one is cooked through. I highly recommend using a mandoline slicer for perfectly even pieces, but if you don’t have one, just take your time with a sharp knife. Get those slices thin! Mastering the roux for this sauce is also key—it’s the same simple concept I use when teaching people how to make homemade alfredo sauce, just adapted for this casserole.

Achieving a Rich Potato Gratin with Ham Sauce

The sauce is where the magic happens for this rich potato gratin with ham. Remember when we made the roux? That little one-minute cook time after adding the flour and butter is where you cook out that raw flour taste. Stir constantly! Once the milk is added and thickened, pull it immediately off the heat before stirring in the cheese. If the heat is too high when you add the cheese, you might end up with a grainy sauce, and nobody wants that!

I like adding the Gruyere first because it melts beautifully and has a higher moisture content than cheddar. Once it’s mostly smooth, stir in the cheddar. This layering of textures and flavors ensures your sauce is absolutely irresistible. It sets the stage for the beautifully layered potato casserole!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Layered Potato Casserole with Ham

Okay, now that we have that incredible creamy sauce ready, it’s time to assemble this amazing scalloped potatoes and ham casserole! This is so straightforward, it feels like cheating. First things first, make sure your oven is preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. I learned the hard way that if your oven isn’t hot enough, the cook time gets all wonky!

Get your 9×13 inch baking dish greased up really well. Now we layer. Think of this like building the coziest, cheesiest dinner tower ever! Start by spreading half of your thinly sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle over half of your diced ham. Then, gently pour half of that gorgeous cheese sauce right over the ham and potatoes. See how easy this ham and potato bake is?

Repeat that process one more time: remaining potatoes, remaining ham, and then the rest of the sauce. Top everything off by sprinkling that final half cup of sharp cheddar right over the very top layer. And that’s the assembly done for this layered potato casserole!

1. Before you cover it, make sure your sauce has been seasoned and has those cheeses melted in—it’s all ready to go into the oven!
2. Cover that dish tightly with aluminum foil. This step traps the steam, cooking those potatoes perfectly tender.
3. Pop it into your preheated oven and let it go for 45 minutes while you go relax—you deserve it!

For a fantastic addition to your hearty dinner recipes collection, you really can’t beat this simplicity. If you’re looking for more comforting baked dishes, check out my guide on baked mashed potatoes creamy casserole recipe for another easy side!

Baking Times for Perfect Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

After that initial 45 minutes covered, we need to finish building that golden crust! Carefully remove the foil—be careful of the hot steam escaping! Then, put the scalloped potatoes and ham back in the oven for another 15 to 20 minutes. This is when it gets bubbly and beautifully browned. Don’t trust the clock entirely, though; test for doneness by piercing the potatoes with a fork. They should slide right through easily, meaning they are tender!

Make Ahead Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Casserole Instructions

I know life gets crazy busy, which is why I absolutely love developing make ahead scalloped potatoes options! This scalloped potatoes and ham casserole is fantastic for meal prepping. You can assemble the entire thing—all the layers, all the sauce, everything—in your greased 9×13 inch dish, cover it tightly with foil, and tuck it into the fridge for up to 24 hours. It’s the perfect way to free up your oven time on a busy day!

When you are ready to bake, just remember that cold ingredients take longer to heat through. So, you’ll need to add about 10 to 15 minutes onto the initial *covered* baking time. Keep it covered for about an hour the first time around, then remove the foil and proceed with the final browning step. It comes out just as cozy and delicious as when it’s baked fresh. This is a lifesaver when you’re planning ahead, just like my tips for a great make ahead turkey gravy!

Storing and Reheating Your Creamy Potato Casserole

So, you made too much—which is honestly the best outcome when making a creamy potato casserole like this! Good news: leftovers are fantastic. Once the casserole has cooled slightly, cover the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer any remaining portions to an airtight container. It keeps wonderfully in the refrigerator for about three to four days.

When you’re ready to enjoy your scalloped potatoes and ham again, an oven reheat is always my top suggestion if you want that slightly crispy top layer back. Pop it back in a 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes, covered loosely with foil just to warm through. If you’re in a huge rush, the microwave works fine, but it won’t have that same beautiful texture on top.

For freezing, which is great for future family friendly weeknight meals, make sure it’s cooled completely first. Wrap the dish securely in a couple of layers of foil and then a layer of plastic wrap. It stays good in the freezer for up to three months! Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating following the covered oven method.

Serving Suggestions for Your Classic Baked Potatoes and Ham

Since this scalloped potatoes and ham is such a rich, wonderful dish, we want to pair it with things that offer a little contrast. These are definitely on the list of hearty dinner recipes, so we need some fresh greens to balance it out. I often serve it with a simple, crisp green salad. My copycat Olive Garden salad dressing is light and tangy, which cuts through the richness of the cheese perfectly!

If you want another vegetable, keep the roasting simple. A side of lightly seasoned, tender-crisp green beans or some roasted carrots and potatoes works beautifully. It keeps the meal satisfying but gives your palate a little break from all that creamy goodness. It’s also the best way to stretch those holiday leftovers that cooked ham provided!

Frequently Asked Questions About Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

I get so many questions about variations on this recipe, which is wonderful because it shows how much people love making a great creamy potato casserole for their families! Here are a few of the most common things folks ask when they are getting ready to bake.

What is the best type of potato for this recipe?

I am adamant that Russet potatoes are the best choice here. Because they are high in starch, they naturally thicken your sauce as they bake, leading to that super rich texture you want in a classic baked potatoes and ham dish. You can certainly try Yukon Golds, but Russets help ensure you get that perfect tender result.

Can I use evaporated milk or heavy cream instead of whole milk?

Oh, absolutely! You can definitely make this dish even richer if you want to. If you substitute heavy cream for the whole milk, you might need to reduce the butter in the roux slightly, or your sauce will become too thick. If you use evaporated milk, you can stick to the recipe as written for measurements, but it will give a slightly different, maybe even richer, flavor profile.

What if I don’t have any leftover ham? Can I skip it in the scalloped potatoes and ham recipe?

While this recipe is designed to be a perfect way to handle how to use leftover ham, you can skip it! If you do, you’ll have an amazing side dish—a truly best scalloped potato recipe on its own. If you want to keep it as a main course, try adding some crispy bacon or even some sautéed mushrooms to give it that savory depth back. I already have a great recipe for creamy classic ham salad if you’re looking for other ways to use up that ham!

How do I stop my cheese sauce from getting grainy?

This is the best trick I learned! Always, always remove the sauce from the direct heat before stirring in your shredded cheese. If the temperature is too high, the fats in the cheese separate from the proteins, and that’s what causes that grainy texture. Stir gently until completely melted off the heat, and you’ll have a silky smooth finish every time. If you look at famous recipes like Ina Garten scalloped potatoes and ham recipe, you often find they share similar sauce secrets!

Nutritional Snapshot for This Ham and Potato Bake

Because we are using rich ingredients like butter, milk, and plenty of cheese in this amazing ham and potato bake, I always like to give folks a heads-up on what they are diving into. This is pure, unadulterated comfort food; it’s meant to be enjoyed!

Here are the estimated nutritional values for one hearty serving of our scalloped potatoes and ham casserole:

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Cholesterol: 75mg

Now, please remember that these numbers are just estimates! The final count can shift based on the exact brand of cheese you use or the fattiness of your leftover ham. This is a rich dish, definitely meant for an indulgent meal rather than daily tracking, but it’s good to know where things stand before you take that first satisfying bite!

Print