Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. It’s super simple to make taking just 10 ingredients and 10 minutes to prepare this make ahead recipe.
If you love ham, try my ham mac and cheese and my spiral ham in Instant pot with pineapple. Flavorful ham is always a hit.
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Why this Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole Recipe is a Keeper
There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty casserole on a chilly evening. This ham and potato casserole is the ultimate comforting casserole that’s bursting with flavor. It is truly a family favorite.
- Great for Leftovers: The leftovers taste just as good, if not better.
- Comforting: It has a comforting, homey feel that makes you want to return to it. You’ll love this ham, potatoes and cheese cream sauce.
- Crowd-Pleaser: It’s a hit with guests, making it ideal for entertaining.
- Seasonal: Making this recipe makes the most of seasonal ingredients and flavors.
- Balances Flavors: The recipe achieves a perfect balance of sweet, salty, sour, and savory.
- Great for Meal Prep: The recipe is perfect for making in bulk and enjoying throughout the week.
Can I Use Leftover Ham for this Recipe?
Yes! Leftover holiday ham dinner is perfect for this recipe. You want to use cooked ham in the creamy sauce. You can even freeze your holiday ham and bring it out when you want an easy and delicious meal.
Ingredient Notes for this Easy Casserole Recipe
To make this cheese ham and potato casserole recipe, you will need just a few easy ingredients. If you don’t already have these ingredients in your kitchen, they can all easily be found at the store.
- Ham: Diced ham makes the perfect bite-sized pieces for this delicious ham and cheese weeknight meal.
- Potatoes: Peel and thinly slice potatoes for this casserole. You could even use diced potatoes in this great recipe.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Make Ahead Suggestions for Leftover Ham Casserole
Preparing a recipe ahead of time can be the best way to go! Make ham and cheese potato casserole in advance to be able to enjoy it whenever you’d like.
- Assemble: You can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it overnight. Bake as directed the next day.
- Par-Boil the Potatoes: Parboiling the potatoes before adding them to the casserole will significantly reduce the overall baking time.
Pro Tip for this Brunch Side Dish
Sautéed onions and garlic: Sautéing onions and garlic before adding them to the casserole adds depth of flavor.
How to Make Ham and Cheesy Potato Casserole
This cheese potato and ham casserole recipe comes together in just 5 quick and easy steps. This savory ham potato casserole is so good, it will become one of your favorite recipes!
These are the basic steps for making Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish
Preheat the oven to 350℉ and lightly grease a one quart casserole dish.
2. Make the Sauce
In a small sauce pan, melt butter and add flour. Let rest for 1 minute. Add cold milk, cayenne and salt. Cook sauce on low whisking occasionally until it reaches a boil.
3. Add Cheese to the Sauce
Reduce heat. Add cheddar cheese continue to stir occasionally until shredded cheese is completely melted.
4. Assemble the Ham and Cheese Casserole
In the prepared casserole dish, place half of potatoes. Using half, pour the cheese sauce over potatoes and add half of the ham. Repeat with second layer of potatoes, cheese sauce and ham.
5. Top and Bake the Casserole
Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake uncovered for 50 minutes to 1 hour.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers for this Hearty Dish
- Storing: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Reheating: Reheat the entire casserole in the oven, covered with aluminum foil.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy great casserole leftovers for school or work lunches or freeze for later.
Variations and Substitutions for this Potato and Ham Casserole
This baked ham cheese potato casserole recipe is super easy to customize to make it unique! Try taking it to the next level by swapping for different ingredients and flavors.
- Sweet Potatoes: Try using different potatoes such as sweet potatoes or brown potatoes in place of Yukon gold potatoes or russet potatoes.
- Add Vegetables: Try adding peas, broccoli, sliced green onions or asparagus in this simple side dish.
- Cheese: Use different cheeses such as sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella, or even Monterey jack. The cheese is one of the reasons I love this recipe so add an extra pinch.
Creamy Homemade Dinner Recipe FAQs
Serve this ham & potato casserole good recipe with Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup, Air Fryer Corn on the Cob with Herb Butter or Easy Apple Pie with Crumb Topping.
Yes! To freeze it unbaked, assemble the casserole then cover tightly. To freeze baked casserole, let cool and cover tightly. Both ways can freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, then bake.
The casserole is done when the casserole is bubbling and tender potatoes are perfect
Expert Tips to Love this Great Casserole Recipe
- Cut Evenly: Cut the potatoes into uniform pieces for even cooking in cozy casserole recipes.
- Cube Ham: Cut the ham steak into small cubes for even distribution throughout the casserole.
- Flavor: Add a little garlic powder, fresh thyme or rosemary for an extra layer of flavor.
- Creamier: If you want your casserole to have an even creamier cheesy sauce add in some sour cream, cream of chicken soup or some cream cheese cubes.
- Breadcrumbs: Crumbly bread or panko breadcrumbs on top add a crispy texture and enhance the cheesy flavor of this easy recipe.
Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole
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Ingredients
- 4 cups Potatoes, Thinly sliced
- 2 cups Cooked ham, diced
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 3 tablespoons Flour
- 1 ½ cups Milk
- 1 teaspoon Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ cup Sharp cheddar cheese, Grated
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ½ cup Grated cheese, to sprinkle on top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and lightly grease a one quart casserole dish.
- In a small sauce pan, melt butter and blend in flour. Allow to rest for one minute.
- Add in cold milk, stirring with a whisk.
- Season with a dash of cayenne and salt (to taste). Cook sauce on low, whisking occasionally until it reaches a boil and sauce is smooth. Reduce heat.
- Add cheese and continue to stir occasionally until cheese is completely melted.
- In the prepared casserole dish, place half of potatoes.
- Pour half of cheese sauce over potatoes in casserole dish, and add half of the ham.
- Repeat with second layer of potatoes, cheese sauce and ham.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake uncovered for 50 minutes to 1 hour.
Christina’s Notes
- Cut Evenly: Cut the potatoes into uniform pieces for even cooking in cozy casserole recipes.
- Cube Ham: Cut the ham into small cubes for even distribution throughout the casserole.
- Flavor: Add a little garlic powder, fresh thyme or rosemary for an extra layer of flavor.
- Creamier: If you want your casserole to have an even creamier cheesy sauce add in some sour cream, cream of chicken soup or some cream cheese cubes.
- Breadcrumbs: Crumbly bread or panko breadcrumbs on top add a crispy texture and enhance the cheesy flavor.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
I made this for house guests and added oregano flakes and garlic pepper, but forgot to add the Paprika on the cheese topping. I added a side of broccoli spears and corn bread, It was delicious and everyone enjoyed it!
Ham and Potato Casserole – Where is the ham? How much? When do you add the ham?
The recipe has been updated. 🙂
Where in the recipe do you add the paprika?
Apply the paprika on top with the last of the cheese.