Ham and Potato Casserole – The Keep At House...

This straightforward Ham and Potato Casserole had us going again for seconds! In case you have any leftover ham, it is a nice strategy to put it to good use. And what makes this one actually shine is our garlicky Panko breadcrumb topping, providing you with that scrumptious little crunch on prime. That proper there’s what’ll have you ever loading up a second scoop!

Searching for easier casseroles? Attempt 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 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 may also use store-bought diced or chopped ham, normally 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 utilize unsalted to regulate the sodium content material.
• Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium choice permits you to finest management the flavour. It’s an excellent chef tip.
• Half and Half: Makes the sauce further 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 accommodates components to stop clumping that make it just a little grainy when it melts.
• Dijon Mustard: If you happen to’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 further crunchiness.

Sneak in a Veggie

Seeking to sneak in some veggies? Broccoli is a good selection because it all the time goes nicely with ham and cheese. Simply throw it in with the opposite elements and it’ll prepare dinner to the correct tenderness within the sauce—no have to pre-cook. If the cooking time is lengthy sufficient for potatoes, it’s lengthy sufficient for broccoli. If you happen to’re apprehensive about youngsters 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. If you happen to’ve by no means made sauce from scratch earlier than, you’ll be stunned 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: ensure you let the butter and flour combination prepare dinner for a full 1-2 minutes earlier than including within the milk and broth. Uncooked flour actually wants that point to prepare dinner for the most effective taste. You need this combination to have an ever so slight golden shade earlier than including the liquid.

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

Breadcrumb Topping

One among 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 correct texture and taste. If you happen to’re within the temper for an additional crispy chew, go forward and double it for a thicker layer of this scrumptious topping.