Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole

The giant leftover cheesy ham potato casserole from Easter dinner sat in my fridge for four days while my family staged a silent protest by making themselves cereal for dinner rather than eating one more ham sandwich or reheated ham slice. Desperation to avoid wasting $40 worth of perfectly good meat led me to Google "what to do with ham besides sandwiches" at 3pm on a Thursday when I'd already committed to having dinner ready by 6.

Jump to:

• What is Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole
• How to Make Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole
• What Pairs Well With Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole?
• Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole Variations
• Equipment
• Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole Storage Tips
• Top Tips for Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole
• Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole FAQs
• Leftover Ham Solved
• Related
• Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole

What is Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole

Cheesy ham potato casserole is a comforting baked dish layering diced ham with sliced potatoes in creamy cheese sauce, topped with more melted cheese that creates ultimate comfort food using leftover ham. Unlike plain reheated ham that tastes dry and boring after day three, this casserole combines ham with potatoes and rich cheese sauce that makes everything taste fresh and intentional instead of like desperate leftover management. The one dish format means less cleanup than cooking ham and sides separately, while the creamy cheesy layers satisfy everyone who complained about eating ham again.

How to Make Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole

Using thinly sliced potatoes instead of cubed ones creates better layering and ensures even cooking throughout the casserole without crunchy spots. We make simple cheese sauce from scratch using butter, flour, and milk rather than canned soup, which tastes fresher and lets you control salt levels when using already salty ham. Covering the casserole for most of baking time steams potatoes tender before uncovering to brown the cheese on top, preventing dried edges while ensuring fully cooked center. Adding a bit of Dijon mustard to the cheese sauce enhances ham flavor without being obvious or overwhelming.

Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole Ingredients

For the Casserole Layers:

• 3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick
• 3 cups cooked ham, diced into ½ inch cubes
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter for greasing dish
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika

For Topping:

• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced

Step by Step Method

Make Creamy Cheese Sauce

• Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat until foaming
• Whisk in flour and cook 2 minutes stirring constantly to remove raw flour taste
• Gradually add milk while whisking to prevent lumps
• Cook 5 to 7 minutes whisking frequently until sauce thickens enough to coat spoon
• Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, paprika

Slice Potatoes Uniformly Thin

• Peel potatoes and slice into ¼ inch thick rounds using mandoline or sharp knife
• Consistent thickness ensures all potatoes cook through at same rate
• Place sliced potatoes in bowl of cold water to prevent browning
• Drain and pat dry before layering to remove excess moisture

Layer Casserole Ingredients

• Butter 9x13 inch baking dish generously to prevent sticking
• Arrange half the potato slices overlapping across bottom of dish
• Sprinkle half the diced ham and half the diced onion over potatoes
• Pour half the cheese sauce evenly over ham and potatoes
• Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar over sauce layer

Repeat Layers for Depth

• Add remaining potato slices in even layer over cheese
• Top with remaining ham and onion pieces
• Pour remaining cheese sauce over everything
• Spread sauce to edges ensuring all potatoes are covered
• Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar and mozzarella on top

Bake Covered Then Uncovered

• Cover tightly with aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray
• Bake at 350°F for 60 minutes until potatoes are fork tender
• Remove foil and test potato doneness with knife through center
• Top with final ½ cup cheddar cheese
• Bake uncovered 15 more minutes until cheese melts and bubbles golden

Rest Before Serving

• Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before cutting
• Resting allows sauce to thicken and layers to set
• Garnish with fresh parsley and sliced green onions
• Serve hot directly from baking dish

What Pairs Well With Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole?

This rich cheesy ham potato casserole pairs naturally with simple green salad, steamed broccoli, or roasted green beans that add freshness to the heavy main dish. Serve it with dinner rolls, biscuits, or garlic bread for soaking up creamy sauce. For complete meal, pair with coleslaw, corn on the cob, or glazed carrots that provide color contrast and lighter elements.

Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole Variations

Scalloped Potato Ham Bake

• Use heavy cream instead of milk for richer sauce
• Add fresh thyme and nutmeg to sauce for classic scalloped flavor
• Layer thin onion slices between potato and ham
• Creates more elegant version suitable for company

Loaded Cheesy Ham Hash Browns

• Replace sliced potatoes with frozen hash browns for faster prep
• Mix in sour cream with cheese sauce for tangy richness
• Top with crispy fried onions before final baking
• Reduces prep time by 30 minutes using frozen potatoes

Broccoli Ham Potato Casserole

• Add 2 cups chopped fresh or frozen broccoli florets to layers
• Use combination of cheddar and Swiss cheese
• Increases vegetable content while keeping comfort food appeal
• Kids eat broccoli when it's hidden under cheese sauce

Spicy Jalapeño Ham Bake

• Add diced jalapeños to cheese sauce for heat
• Use pepper jack cheese instead of plain cheddar
• Top with crushed Ritz crackers mixed with melted butter
• Creates Southwestern version with crunchy topping

Equipment

• 9x13 inch baking dish
• Medium saucepan for cheese sauce
• Whisk for smooth sauce
• Sharp knife or mandoline for slicing potatoes
• Aluminum foil for covering
• Large spoon for serving

Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole Storage Tips

Best Fresh

• Casserole tastes best right after baking when cheese is bubbly and hot
• Potatoes have ideal creamy texture before refrigeration firms them up
• Sauce stays perfectly smooth and doesn't separate

Make Ahead Strategy

• Assemble entire casserole up to 24 hours before baking
• Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake
• Add 15 extra minutes to baking time if starting from cold
• Perfect for holiday meal planning or busy weeknight prep

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

• Cover leftover casserole and refrigerate up to 4 days
• Reheat individual portions in microwave for 2 minutes
• Reheat whole casserole covered at 350°F for 25 minutes until hot
• Add splash of milk when reheating if sauce looks dry

Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole FAQs

Leftover Ham Solved

Post-holiday ham fatigue ends when you've got one solid recipe that makes everyone forget they were complaining about eating the same meat all week. The cheese sauce disguises any dryness from refrigerator storage while potatoes stretch expensive holiday ham into multiple meals that actually taste intentional. This cheesy ham potato casserole turns "ugh, ham again" into "are we having that cheesy potato thing?" which fundamentally changes how you view buying large holiday hams.

Ready for more casserole comfort? Try our Hamburger and Potato Casserole for ground beef version with similar technique, or explore our Cheesy Mississippi Mud Potatoes for loaded potato side dish. For chicken lovers, our Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole uses same creamy layering approach with different protein.

Share your cheesy ham potato casserole! Tag us @HannahAndSproutKitchen with #CheesyHamPotatoCasserole; we're dying to see your golden bubbly casseroles and hear about your leftover ham victories!

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