This scalloped potatoes and ham recipe, reminiscent of the Pioneer Woman’s style, is the epitome of comfort food. It’s incredibly straightforward to make, delivering a rich, creamy, and intensely flavorful experience, perfectly balanced with savory ham.
Pioneer Woman Scalloped Potatoes and Ham: A Hearty Family Favorite
Inspired by the Pioneer Woman’s approach to home cooking, this scalloped potatoes and ham dish is a true celebration of simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary. This potato casserole is poised to become a beloved staple in your family meals.
If you’re on the hunt for the ideal recipe to utilize leftover ham or simply wish to serve a satisfying and heartwarming meal to a crowd, your search ends here with this delectable and easy Ham and Potato Casserole.
This timeless casserole harmoniously blends creamy, cheesy scalloped potatoes with generous chunks of tender, flavorful ham. It’s a star attraction at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter feasts. Many consider it to be the ultimate expression of ham and scalloped potatoes.
What distinguishes this luxuriously creamy and cheesy side dish is its remarkable simplicity. Unlike many similar recipes, there’s no need for complex roux-making or pre-cooking the sauce. This makes it a stress-free choice, especially during busy holidays. The luscious, velvety sauce is effortlessly created by whisking together half-and-half, heavy cream, flour, and a hint of black pepper, relying on the oven to work its magic and thicken it to perfection.
Beyond being an excellent option for serving large gatherings, this casserole is also a brilliant way to repurpose leftover ham from your holiday celebrations. The ham infuses a savory, subtly salty note that beautifully complements the creamy, cheesy scalloped potatoes. And if you find yourself without leftover ham, ham steaks serve as a fantastic substitute.
So, if you’re seeking a flavorful and satisfying dish guaranteed to please everyone at your table, give this classic ham and potato casserole a try. Its irresistible combination of tender potatoes, a lavish sauce, and savory ham is destined to become a cherished favorite throughout the holiday season and beyond.
While you’re exploring recipes, don’t miss out on other Ree Drummond-inspired delights. Her effortless chocolate pie and Pioneer Woman mac and cheese recipes are highly recommended and are sure to impress.
Overhead view of a garnished scalloped potatoes and ham casserole in a white dish, ready to serve.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Style Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Potatoes: Russet potatoes are the preferred choice due to their high starch content. This characteristic is crucial for achieving the signature tender and creamy texture of scalloped potatoes. Their mild flavor profile also ensures they readily absorb and enhance the other flavors in the casserole.
Yukon Gold potatoes are another excellent alternative, offering a similar creamy texture. However, it’s best to avoid waxy potatoes, as they tend to release excessive moisture during baking, which can affect the casserole’s consistency.
Ham: Diced cooked ham is essential for adding a rich, savory dimension to the dish, while also providing a satisfying protein element. The inherent saltiness of ham strikes a perfect balance with the creamy sauce and mild potatoes. Leftover holiday ham or readily available cubed ham steaks are both suitable options.
Onion: Sautéed onions contribute a delicate sweetness and depth of flavor that elevates the entire casserole. They seamlessly blend with the ham and potatoes, enhancing the overall savory taste.
Butter: Butter plays a dual role in this recipe. It’s used for sautéing the onions and ham, infusing them with richness, and for greasing the casserole dish, preventing sticking and adding a subtle buttery flavor to the edges.
Half-and-Half and Heavy Cream: This combination of dairy creates the luxuriously creamy sauce that binds the casserole. Half-and-half provides lightness, while heavy cream contributes to the rich, velvety texture that is characteristic of exceptional scalloped potatoes.
Flour: All-purpose flour is whisked into the cream mixture to act as a thickening agent during baking. This ensures the sauce reaches a perfect consistency, coating the potatoes and ham beautifully.
Black Pepper: A simple touch of ground black pepper adds a subtle warmth and enhances the savory notes of the ham, potatoes, and creamy sauce, bringing all the flavors into harmony.
Cheese: A blend of freshly shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese is used for its superior flavor and melting qualities. Sharp cheddar offers a tangy, robust flavor, while Monterey Jack contributes a mild, creamy melt, creating a balanced cheese layer.
Ingredients for scalloped potatoes and ham, including potatoes, ham, cheese, and cream, all labeled clearly.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Pioneer Woman Style
Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to the specified temperature. Generously butter a 9×13-inch casserole dish, ensuring both the bottom and sides are coated to prevent sticking. Set the prepared dish aside. (Refer to the recipe card below for complete printable instructions.)
Sauté Onions: In a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat, melt the butter. Swirl to evenly coat the pan’s bottom. Add the diced onions and sauté until they just begin to become translucent, releasing their aroma and softening slightly.
Butter melting in a skillet, followed by diced onions being added for sautéing.
Sauté Ham: Introduce the diced ham to the skillet with the onions. Continue to sauté until the ham is heated through and slightly browned, enhancing its savory flavor. Once heated, remove the skillet from the heat. Transfer the sautéed ham and onions to a separate bowl and set aside.
Diced onions sautéing in a skillet, with cooked ham cubes being added to the pan.
Prepare Cream Mixture: In a microwave-safe container, combine the half-and-half and heavy cream. Microwave briefly, just until the chill is removed, ensuring the mixture is warm but not hot. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and ground black pepper until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined, ensuring no lumps remain.
Flour and black pepper being added to a warm milk and cream mixture in a glass bowl, ready to be whisked.
Slice Potatoes: Using a mandoline set to the thinnest setting, carefully slice all the potatoes. Discard the first and last slices of each potato to ensure uniform slices for even cooking.
Layer Ingredients: Begin layering in the prepared casserole dish. Place a portion of the sliced potatoes at the bottom, slightly overlapping each slice. Evenly distribute a portion of the sautéed ham and onions over the potato layer. Sprinkle a generous amount of the cheese blend over the ham and onions. Whisk the cream mixture again to ensure smoothness, and then pour a portion evenly over the layered ingredients.
Layers of cheese and cream mixture being added to a casserole dish with potatoes and ham.
Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process two more times, ensuring you end with a final layer of the creamy sauce poured over the top cheese layer.
Additional layers being added to form the scalloped potatoes and ham casserole in a baking dish.
Bake Casserole: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for the initial baking time, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove the aluminum foil and continue baking until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the top is beautifully golden brown.
A freshly baked scalloped potatoes and ham casserole in a white casserole dish, golden brown and bubbly.
Rest and Serve: Allow the baked casserole to rest for a short period before serving. This resting time is crucial as it allows the sauce to thicken further, enhancing the overall texture and flavor. After resting, cut the casserole into squares and serve hot. (See the recipe card below for detailed written instructions, ingredient quantities, cooking times, and helpful tips).
Expert Tips for Perfect Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
- Always opt for freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can result in a grainy texture once melted, compromising the creamy smoothness of the casserole.
- Utilizing a mandoline for slicing potatoes is highly recommended for achieving uniform, thin slices. This ensures even cooking and a more desirable texture throughout the casserole.
- If you need to slice potatoes in advance, prevent them from oxidizing and turning brown by submerging them in a bowl of cold water immediately after slicing. Ensure they are thoroughly dried before layering them in the casserole to avoid excess moisture.
- To reduce baking time, consider parboiling the potato slices for a few minutes before layering them. This pre-cooking step shortens the overall time needed in the oven.
- Allowing the casserole to rest after baking is essential. This resting period lets the sauce thicken and the flavors meld together harmoniously, significantly improving the final dish.
FAQs About Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Will Scalloped Potatoes Cook Faster Covered or Uncovered?
Scalloped potatoes cook more efficiently when covered with aluminum foil initially. The foil traps heat and steam, which helps the potatoes cook through more quickly and evenly. Removing the foil towards the end of baking allows the top to become golden brown and bubbly.
Close-up of the inside texture of scalloped potatoes and ham casserole, showing creamy layers and tender potatoes.
How Do You Know When Scalloped Potatoes Are Done?
Scalloped potatoes are perfectly cooked when the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork. The sauce should be thick and bubbly, and the cheese on top should be fully melted and appealingly browned.
Can I Slice Potatoes Ahead Of Time For Scalloped Potatoes?
Yes, you can slice potatoes in advance. To prevent discoloration, immediately submerge the slices in cold water and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before using, thoroughly drain and pat the potato slices dry to remove excess water that could affect the sauce consistency.
Side view of a casserole dish filled with scalloped potatoes and ham, highlighting gooey cheese layers.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Make-Ahead Instructions: You can assemble the scalloped potatoes and ham casserole in advance. Cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Ensure you bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes before placing it in the oven to bake evenly.
Freezing Instructions: For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked casserole. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it securely in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and bake in a preheated oven until heated through and bubbly.
A slice of scalloped potatoes and ham casserole served with a fresh green salad on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Variation
Slow Cooker Instructions: For a slow cooker version, omit the flour and half-and-half from the recipe. Layer all ingredients as directed in your slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or on LOW for 6-8 hours, until potatoes are tender. Note that the sauce in the slow cooker version will be less thick than the oven-baked casserole, but still flavorful and delicious.
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Pinterest pin image for scalloped potatoes and ham, featuring a photo of the dish and recipe title text overlay.
Explore More Holiday Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to explore our collection of popular holiday recipes! These dishes are wonderful companions to serve alongside scalloped potatoes and ham, creating a complete and festive meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes, washed thoroughly
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cups diced ham
- 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese*
- 1 cup freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9×13 inch casserole dish and set aside.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add butter and swirl to coat the pan. Add onions and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add ham and sauté until heated through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe container, combine half-and-half and heavy cream. Microwave until just warmed, about 1-1.5 minutes. Whisk in flour and black pepper until smooth.
- Using a mandoline, slice potatoes to 1/8 inch thickness, discarding first and end slices.
- Layer 1/3 of potato slices in the dish, overlapping slightly. Spread 1/3 of ham and onions over potatoes.
- Sprinkle 1/3 of cheese over ham mixture. Whisk cream mixture and spread 1/3 over the casserole.
- Repeat layers twice more, ending with cream sauce over cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Remove foil and bake 20-25 minutes more, until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
*Always use freshly grated cheese for best melting and texture. Pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents.
**To speed up cooking, parboil potato slices for 5 minutes, drain, and cool before assembling.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1/8
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 615, Total Fat: 39.5g, Carbohydrates: 41g, Fiber: 2.7g, Sugar: 5.5g, Protein: 26.9g
*Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary.
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Enjoy making and sharing this comforting ham and potato casserole. The combination of tender potatoes, savory ham, and creamy cheese sauce is sure to be a hit. Happy cooking!
