Ham and Potato Casserole – The Keep At Residence Chef

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

In search of easier casseroles? Attempt our scrumptious Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole.

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

Ingredient Notes

• Russet Potatoes: Greatest 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 too 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 should use unsalted to manage the sodium content material.
• Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility lets you finest management the flavour. It’s an excellent chef tip.
• Half and Half: Makes the sauce additional creamy with out being too heavy. You may 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: For those who’re out of Dijon, yellow mustard or whole-grain mustard can be utilized as a substitute.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: You should use common breadcrumbs however we love Panko for its additional crunchiness.

Sneak in a Veggie

Trying to sneak in some veggies? Broccoli is a superb selection because it all the time goes nicely with ham and cheese. Simply throw it in with the opposite components and it’ll cook dinner to the precise tenderness within the sauce—no have to pre-cook. If the cooking time is lengthy sufficient for potatoes, it’s lengthy sufficient for broccoli. For those who’re nervous about children noticing the veggies, chop them finely and blend them in with the sauce they usually’ll mix proper in!

Making a Roux

Don’t attain for that may of condensed soup each once more. For those who’ve by no means made sauce from scratch earlier than, you’ll be shocked 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 selection.

Professional tip: be sure to 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 very best taste. You need this combination to have an ever so slight golden coloration earlier than including the liquid.

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

Breadcrumb Topping

One among 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 offer it simply the precise texture and taste. For those who’re within the temper for an additional crispy chew, go forward and double it for a thicker layer of this scrumptious topping.