Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
This Scalloped Potatoes and Ham recipe combines tender potatoes with savory turkey in a rich, cheesy sauce, making it the ultimate comfort food.
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- Baking Dish
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 lbs white potatoes, washed and sliced ⅛” thick
- 2 cups diced ham
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- to taste parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients - Start by gathering all your ingredients. Wash and slice the white potatoes thinly—about ⅛ of an inch. Dice your onion and mince the garlic. Set everything aside for easy access.
- Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce - In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Next, toss in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until it’s fragrant. Now, sprinkle in the flour, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Whisk it together until it forms a paste. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while continuing to whisk. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer and let it thicken for about 3-5 minutes. Once thickened, stir in the heavy cream and mix until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Step 3: Assemble the Dish - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large baking dish, start layering your ingredients. Begin with a layer of sliced potatoes, followed by a layer of diced ham. Pour a generous amount of the creamy sauce over this layer. Repeat the process until you’ve used up all the ingredients, making sure the last layer is the creamy sauce.
- Step 4: Add Cheese - Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously on top. This will create a beautiful golden crust as the dish bakes.
- Step 5: Bake - Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from browning too quickly. Bake in your preheated oven for 45 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden, and the potatoes are tender.
- Step 6: Garnish and Serve - Once done, take it out of the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a beautiful finishing touch.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can add some grated nutmeg to the sauce. If you prefer a bit of crunch, top with breadcrumbs along with the cheese. Make sure to slice the potatoes evenly for consistent cooking. Let the dish sit after baking to make serving easier.