Ham and Potato Casserole – The Keep At Residence Chef

This straightforward Ham and Potato Casserole had us going again for seconds! When you have any leftover ham, this can be a nice technique 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’s what’ll have you ever loading up a second scoop!

Searching for easier casseroles? Strive 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. A bit 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 effectively. 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, normally discovered within the refrigerated part close to the bacon.
• Butter: Blended with flour for the roux (sauce base). We use salted butter however you should utilize unsalted to regulate the sodium content material.
• Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility means that you can finest management the flavour. It’s a terrific chef tip.
• Half and Half: Makes the sauce further creamy with out being too heavy. You could possibly additionally go all out and use heavy cream.
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded melts higher than pre-shredded cheese, which accommodates components to forestall clumping that make it somewhat grainy when it melts.
• Dijon Mustard: Should you’re out of Dijon, yellow mustard or whole-grain mustard can be utilized as a substitute.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: You need to use 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 all the time goes effectively with ham and cheese. Simply throw it in with the opposite substances and it’ll cook dinner to the fitting tenderness within the sauce—no have to pre-cook. If the cooking time is lengthy sufficient for potatoes, it’s lengthy sufficient for broccoli. Should you’re nervous 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. Should you’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 alternative.

Professional tip: ensure 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 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 easy consistency. Belief us.

Breadcrumb Topping

Certainly one of our favourite issues about this casserole is the superbly golden brown breadcrumb topping. We use Panko breadcrumbs, which give it an additional crunch and resists changing into soggy with the creamy sauce. Breadcrumbs are combined with butter and garlic powder to offer it simply the fitting texture and taste. Should you’re within the temper for an additional crispy chew, go forward and double it for a thicker layer of this scrumptious topping.