Ham and Potato Casserole – The Stay At Home Chef

This straightforward Ham and Potato Casserole had us going again for seconds! When you have any leftover ham, it is a nice option to put it to good use. And what makes this one actually shine is our garlicky Panko breadcrumb topping, providing you with that scrumptious little crunch on prime. That proper there’s what’ll have you ever loading up a second scoop!

On the lookout for easier casseroles? Attempt our scrumptious Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole.

This one is a household favourite that we promise gained’t disappoint. We make a sauce from scratch that begins with a easy roux to get that thick, creamy consistency. Just a little higher than utilizing a can of condensed soup, proper?

Ingredient Notes

• Russet Potatoes: Finest for this dish as a result of they maintain their form nicely. Chop into bite-sized items for even cooking. Substitute with Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier texture.
• Ham: Leftover ham is ideal for this recipe. You can even use store-bought diced or chopped ham, often discovered within the refrigerated part close to the bacon.
• Butter: Combined with flour for the roux (sauce base). We use salted butter however you need to use unsalted to manage the sodium content material.
• Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium choice means that you can greatest management the flavour. It’s an important chef tip.
• Half and Half: Makes the sauce further creamy with out being too heavy. You can additionally go all out and use heavy cream.
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded melts higher than pre-shredded cheese, which incorporates components to forestall clumping that make it a bit grainy when it melts.
• Dijon Mustard: In case you’re out of Dijon, yellow mustard or whole-grain mustard can be utilized as an alternative.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: You should utilize common breadcrumbs however we love Panko for its further crunchiness.

Sneak in a Veggie

Seeking to sneak in some veggies? Broccoli is a superb alternative because it at all times goes nicely with ham and cheese. Simply throw it in with the opposite elements and it’ll cook dinner to the proper tenderness within the sauce—no must pre-cook. If the cooking time is lengthy sufficient for potatoes, it’s lengthy sufficient for broccoli. In case you’re frightened about children noticing the veggies, chop them finely and blend them in with the sauce and so they’ll mix proper in!

Making a Roux

Don’t attain for that may of condensed soup each once more. In case you’ve by no means made sauce from scratch earlier than, you’ll be stunned at how straightforward it’s. You’ll begin with a roux, which is a mix of fifty/50 fats and flour (to not be confused with a slurry or gravy), which you’ll then add to your liquid of alternative.

Professional tip: be sure you let the butter and flour combination cook dinner for a full 1-2 minutes earlier than including within the milk and broth. Uncooked flour actually wants that point to cook dinner for the perfect taste. You need this combination to have an ever so slight golden colour earlier than including the liquid.

Additionally, don’t rush pouring the broth and/or milk—you need to slowly whisk it in for a easy consistency. Belief us.

Breadcrumb Topping

One in all our favourite issues about this casserole is the peerlessly golden brown breadcrumb topping. We use Panko breadcrumbs, which give it an additional crunch and resists turning into soggy with the creamy sauce. Breadcrumbs are combined with butter and garlic powder to present it simply the proper texture and taste. In case you’re within the temper for an additional crispy chew, go forward and double it for a thicker layer of this scrumptious topping.