Description
A creamy and cheesy casserole made with layers of potatoes, ham, and a rich cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup white or yellow onions, diced small
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk (2% or whole recommended)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 3 pounds russet potatoes
- 2 cups cooked ham, cubed or diced small
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely minced (optional for garnishing)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F, and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole dish with cooking spray; set aside.
- To a large skillet, add the butter and heat over medium-high heat to melt it, about 1 minute; stir with a wooden spoon to help it melt faster.
- Add the onions and sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until soft and translucent; stir frequently.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute; stir nearly constantly.
- Sprinkle the flour over the top, stir and toss with a wooden spoon, and cook for 1 minute; stir nearly constantly.
- Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly as you add it.
- Add the salt, pepper, and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens some.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese until smooth and silky.
- Place half of the potatoes in the bottom of your pan. Top with half of the ham. Pour half of the sauce over the top, then sprinkle 1 cup of cheese on top. Repeat the process with the potatoes, ham, sauce, and cheese.
- If you’re prepping this 12-24 hours in advance, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate.
- Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes, covered. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes, uncovered, or until done.
- Optionally garnish with freshly parsley and serve.
Notes
- You are essentially creating a roux here by combining melted butter with flour, which helps the sauce to thicken.
- Make sure that the potatoes are buttery soft, fork tender, and very done. If in doubt, bake longer.
- Baking times could vary depending on your oven, baking dish, and thickness of potatoes.
- If the cheese is starting to brown too much, cover it again with foil.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg