Pioneer Woman Scalloped Potatoes with Ham: The Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole

The Pioneer Woman’s scalloped potatoes and ham recipe is a timeless classic for a reason. It’s the epitome of comfort food, blending creamy, cheesy potatoes with savory ham in a simple yet satisfying casserole. Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman herself, has crafted a dish that’s not only incredibly delicious but also surprisingly easy to make. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a hearty meal that brings together the best of meat and potatoes.

This scalloped potatoes and ham casserole, often referred to as ham and potato casserole, is more than just a side dish; it’s a complete meal in itself. It’s especially ideal for using up leftover ham from holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. Imagine tender slices of potato enveloped in a rich, velvety, cheese-infused cream sauce, punctuated by flavorful pieces of ham. It’s a culinary hug in a baking dish!

What makes this creamy scalloped potatoes and ham recipe stand out is its straightforward approach. Unlike some scalloped potato recipes that require a pre-made roux or complicated sauce, the Pioneer Woman’s version simplifies the process. The creamy sauce magically comes together in the oven, thickening to perfection as it bakes. This makes it an accessible recipe even for beginner cooks, while still delivering maximum flavor and comfort.

Whether you’re preparing a holiday feast or simply craving a comforting family dinner, this cheesy scalloped potatoes with ham recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. The combination of the creamy potatoes and savory ham creates a balanced and deeply satisfying flavor profile. And if you don’t have leftover ham, don’t worry! Ham steaks work just as wonderfully, making this dish a year-round delight.

So, if you’re on the hunt for a foolproof, delicious, and comforting recipe, look no further. The Pioneer Woman’s scalloped potatoes and ham is a dish that will impress your family and friends, becoming a requested favorite for holiday tables and weeknight dinners alike. Get ready to experience the magic of simple ingredients transformed into a truly unforgettable casserole.

An overhead shot of a fully garnished casserole inside of a casserole dish showcasing the golden brown top and creamy texture of Pioneer Woman scalloped potatoes and ham.

Key Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Let’s dive into the heart of this recipe – the ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the perfect Pioneer Woman Scalloped Potatoes With Ham. Understanding why each ingredient is chosen will help you appreciate the simplicity and brilliance of this dish.

Potatoes: The foundation of our casserole! Ree Drummond recommends russet potatoes for their high starch content. This starch is key to achieving that signature creamy texture in scalloped potatoes. Russets break down beautifully during baking, creating a naturally thick and luscious sauce without needing a complicated roux. Yukon Gold potatoes are a fantastic alternative, offering a slightly buttery flavor and creamy texture as well. Avoid waxy potatoes like red potatoes, as they contain less starch and can release too much water, potentially leading to a watery casserole.
Ham: The savory star alongside the potatoes. Cooked, diced ham brings a salty, smoky depth that perfectly complements the creamy potatoes. This is an excellent way to repurpose leftover ham from holiday dinners. Cubed ham steaks are a readily available and equally delicious substitute if you don’t have leftovers on hand. The ham not only adds flavor but also provides a satisfying protein element, making this casserole a more substantial meal.
Onion: The aromatic base of flavor. Yellow onion, when sautéed in butter, becomes sweet and mellow, adding a subtle layer of complexity to the casserole. It melds beautifully with the ham and potatoes, enhancing the overall savory profile of the dish without overpowering it.
Butter: For richness and sautéing. Butter serves a dual purpose in this recipe. First, it’s used to sauté the onions and ham, infusing them with flavor and creating a fragrant base. Second, butter is used to grease the casserole dish, preventing sticking and adding a touch of richness to the edges of the casserole.
Half-and-Half and Heavy Cream: The creamy dream team. This combination is the secret to the velvety sauce that coats the potatoes and ham. Half-and-half provides lightness while still contributing creaminess, and heavy cream elevates the richness and texture to luxurious levels. Together, they create the perfect balance of creamy without being overly heavy.
All-Purpose Flour: The thickening agent. A small amount of all-purpose flour is whisked into the cream mixture to help thicken the sauce as the casserole bakes. This ensures that you get a wonderfully rich and cohesive sauce that isn’t too thin or watery.
Black Pepper: Simple seasoning, significant impact. Ground black pepper is the only spice needed in this recipe, highlighting the clean and classic flavors of the other ingredients. It adds a touch of warmth and depth, enhancing the savory notes of the ham and the richness of the cream.
Cheese: The cheesy crown. A blend of sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese creates a perfect cheesy topping. Sharp cheddar offers a bold, tangy flavor that cuts through the richness of the cream and ham. Monterey Jack is milder and melts beautifully, contributing to a smooth, gooey texture. Using freshly shredded cheese is crucial for optimal melting and flavor.

The labeled ingredients for scalloped potatoes and ham, clearly showing potatoes, ham, onions, butter, cream, flour, pepper, and cheese.

Step-by-Step Guide: Making Pioneer Woman Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Now, let’s walk through the process of creating this delectable Pioneer Woman scalloped potatoes with ham recipe. The steps are straightforward, making it a joy to prepare.

Preheat and Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter the bottom and sides of a 9×13 inch casserole dish. This prevents sticking and adds a subtle buttery flavor to the edges. Set the prepared dish aside.
Sauté the Onions: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add butter and let it melt completely, swirling to coat the pan. Add the diced onions and sauté until they become translucent and softened, about 2-3 minutes. This step mellows out the onion’s sharpness and brings out its sweetness.

Melting butter in a hot skillet then adding in diced onions, demonstrating the first step of sauteing onions for scalloped potatoes and ham.

Sauté the Ham: Add the diced ham to the skillet with the onions. Sauté for another 3-4 minutes, until the ham is heated through and slightly browned. Sautéing the ham enhances its flavor and adds a touch of crispness. Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the onion and ham mixture to a bowl. Set aside.

Sautéing the onions in a hot skillet before adding the cubed cooked ham, showcasing the process of adding ham to the sauteed onions for scalloped potatoes and ham.

Warm the Cream Mixture: In a microwave-safe container, combine the half-and-half and heavy cream. Microwave for about 1 to 1.5 minutes, just until warmed through and no longer cold. Warming the cream helps it incorporate smoothly with the flour and ensures a creamier sauce. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and black pepper until completely smooth and combined. Ensure there are no lumps of flour for a silky sauce.

Adding flour and pepper to the milk mixture then mixing, illustrating the step of creating the creamy sauce base for scalloped potatoes and ham.

Slice the Potatoes: Using a mandoline set to the thinnest setting (about 1/8 inch thickness), carefully slice all the potatoes. Discard the first and last slices, which are often uneven. Slicing potatoes thinly and evenly is crucial for them to cook through properly and have the right tender texture in the casserole. If you don’t have a mandoline, use a sharp knife to slice them as thinly and evenly as possible. If slicing potatoes ahead of time, submerge them in cold water to prevent browning (see Pro Tips).

Discarding the potato ends and slicing with a mandolin slicer over a baking tray, showing the technique of thinly slicing potatoes for scalloped potatoes and ham using a mandoline.

Layer the Ingredients: Begin layering the casserole. Place one-third of the potato slices in the bottom of the prepared dish, slightly overlapping them to create an even base. Spread one-third of the ham and onion mixture evenly over the potato layer. Sprinkle one-third of the shredded cheese over the ham and onions. Whisk the cream mixture again to ensure it’s smooth (flour can settle), and then pour one-third of the cream mixture evenly over the cheese layer.

Adding cheese and cream mixture to the layered casserole dish, demonstrating the layering process of potatoes, ham, cheese, and cream sauce for scalloped potatoes and ham.

Repeat Layering: Repeat the layering process two more times, using the remaining potatoes, ham and onion mixture, cheese, and cream sauce. The final layer should be cream sauce over cheese.

Adding the additional layers to form the ham and potato casserole, illustrating the completion of layering potatoes, ham, cheese, and cream sauce to build the scalloped potatoes and ham casserole.

Bake the Casserole: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Covering it with foil helps steam the potatoes and cook them through evenly. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

A freshly baked scalloped potatoes casserole in a casserole dish, showcasing the golden brown and bubbly top of the finished Pioneer Woman scalloped potatoes and ham.

Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Resting allows the sauce to thicken further and the flavors to meld together beautifully. Cut into squares and serve hot.

Pro Tips for Perfect Pioneer Woman Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

To ensure your Pioneer Woman scalloped potatoes with ham are a resounding success, here are some essential pro tips:

Freshly Shredded Cheese is Key: Always use freshly shredded cheese, especially cheddar and Monterey Jack. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain cellulose, an anti-caking agent that can prevent them from melting smoothly, resulting in a grainy texture. Freshly shredded cheese melts beautifully and provides the best flavor and texture.
Mandoline for Even Slices: A mandoline is highly recommended for slicing the potatoes. It ensures uniform, thin slices that cook evenly in the casserole. If you don’t have a mandoline, take your time and use a sharp knife to slice the potatoes as uniformly thin as possible.
Prevent Potato Browning: Potatoes can oxidize and turn brown if exposed to air after slicing. If you need to slice your potatoes ahead of time, submerge them immediately in a bowl of cold water with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. This will prevent discoloration. Be sure to drain and thoroughly pat the potatoes dry with paper towels before layering them in the casserole to avoid excess moisture.
Parboil for Faster Cooking (Optional): If you’re short on time or want to ensure the potatoes are perfectly tender, you can parboil the potato slices for about 5 minutes before layering them in the casserole. Drain them well and let them cool slightly before layering. This will reduce the overall baking time.
Resting is Essential: Don’t skip the resting time after baking! Letting the casserole rest for 10 minutes allows the sauce to thicken and set, making it easier to serve and enhancing the overall texture and flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

While Pioneer Woman scalloped potatoes and ham is a fantastic stand-alone dish, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments.

As a Side Dish: This casserole is a classic side for holiday dinners, especially alongside roasted turkey, ham, or beef. It also complements simpler main courses like roasted chicken or pork chops.
As a Main Course: With the addition of ham, this casserole is hearty enough to be a main course, especially for a comforting family meal. Serve it with a fresh green salad or a side of steamed green beans or asparagus for a balanced meal.
Holiday Feasts: A must-have for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter gatherings. Its comforting and crowd-pleasing nature makes it perfect for festive occasions.
Potlucks and Gatherings: Easy to transport and always a hit at potlucks, family reunions, and casual get-togethers.

A slice of scalloped potatoes and ham casserole with a side of salad, showcasing a serving suggestion for Pioneer Woman scalloped potatoes and ham paired with a fresh salad.

Make-Ahead, Freezing, and Slow Cooker Options

Make-Ahead Instructions: You can assemble the entire casserole ahead of time. Cover it tightly with foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Before baking, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to take the chill off, then bake as directed.
Freezing Instructions: Leftover cooked casserole freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through and bubbly.
Slow Cooker Instructions: For a slightly different approach, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Omit the flour and half-and-half. Layer the potatoes, ham and onions, and cheese in the slow cooker as instructed. Pour heavy cream over the layers. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or on LOW for 6-8 hours. The sauce will be less thick than the oven-baked version, but still delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will Scalloped Potatoes Cook Faster Covered or Uncovered?
Scalloped potatoes cook faster when covered with aluminum foil initially. Covering the casserole traps steam, which helps the potatoes cook through more quickly and evenly. Removing the foil for the last part of baking allows the top to become golden brown and bubbly.
How Do You Know When Scalloped Potatoes Are Done?
Scalloped potatoes are done when the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork. The sauce should be thick and bubbly, and the cheese melted and nicely browned on top.
Can I Slice Potatoes Ahead of Time for Scalloped Potatoes?
Yes, you can slice potatoes ahead of time. To prevent them from turning brown, submerge them in cold water in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to a few hours. Before using, drain them thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels.

A close up shot showing the inside texture of the potato and ham casserole, highlighting the creamy sauce, tender potatoes, and savory ham within Pioneer Woman scalloped potatoes and ham.

The Pioneer Woman scalloped potatoes with ham recipe is more than just a dish; it’s an experience. It’s the comforting flavors, the creamy textures, and the ease of preparation that make it a timeless favorite. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or a cozy weeknight dinner, this casserole is sure to bring smiles to your table. Enjoy the simple joy of this classic comfort food!

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