Easy homemade Scalloped Potatoes and Ham recipe – creamy, cheesy sauce, chunks of ham (works perfectly ham leftovers) and thin cut potato layers, make this dish a crowd pleaser. My readers are raving about this never fail scalloped potatoes recipe. Can be served as a side dish or a main course with a salad on side.
Looking for more holiday dishes? You’ve got to try my Mushroom and Potato Gratin or Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
This easy scalloped potatoes recipe (or potato gratin as some will call it) is one of my favorite recipes when I want to make a homemade potato and ham casserole that everyone will love. Every single time, they will go for seconds or even thirds.
If you’re planning to serve it to a large table, I would definitely plan to make 2 casseroles because they will be gone!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Thin Sliced Potatoes – You can use any type of potatoes: yellow, red or Russet (Idaho) potatoes. To make it easier, you can use a mandoline slicer
- Ham – you can use any type of cooked ham. Perfect way to use up some of the left over Easter ham.
- Butter
- Milk – this recipe works perfect with 2% milk (in US) or regular milk (you can use low fat milk too, if preferred)
- Flour
- Cheese – grated cheddar cheese works perfect for this recipe, or a combination of grated mozzarella and cheddar. This scalloped potato recipe has to be cheesy, it ads a bit of richness and a lot of flavor too
- Dried Herbs: I love the taste when adding dried parsley and chives
How to make scalloped potatoes from scratch
Once you have decided on what type of potatoes to use and have them thinly sliced, the rest of the scalloped potato and ham dish is quite easy.
I think the step by step photos below show how to make it. There is also the recipe video included for these scalloped potatoes and ham dish.
You will need a large baking tray, I have used a 13×9 inch dish and it was just enough for 3-4 servings (with no seconds J)
In terms of dried herbs, have added dried parsley and chives and the taste was superb!
Do you have to peel potatoes for scalloped potatoes
The answer is NO. You don’t need to peel your potatoes. You can wash them and have them thinly sliced (1/4 inch)
Tips
The old fashioned way scalloped potatoes and ham recipe calls for a total cooking time of 70-80 minutes. The potatoes are done after this time, but still a bit firm which can please some people and not so much others.
If you like your potatoes really soft, almost falling apart, you’ll need to bake them covered for longer than 60 minutes.
Why are my scalloped potatoes still hard
No-one wants this surprise after all the hard work and you’re just about to enjoy them! It can be the potato type, acidic ingredients added too soon…..who knows?! Use my secret tip to have soft scalloped potatoes anytime and boil the potatoes for almost 10 minutes before slicing them (or microwave the potatoes for a bit) and they will be just perfectly soft after 60 minutes in the oven covered.
How many potatoes in 6 cups
This is one of the most asked questions when it comes to scalloped potatoes. I can tell you that my 6 cups of sliced potatoes were made of 5 potatoes of around 5 inch/ eack. (medium potatoes)
Can you make this recipe ahead of time
You can definitely save time, especially if you’re planning to make and serve this dish during a Holiday, and make these Scalloped Potatoes and Ham ahead of time. We all know that oven space availability is gold when it comes to holidays, so best way to leave it free is to make it in advance.
All you need to do is allow the dish to cool down, cover it with foil and refrigerate for maximum 2 days. Reheat at 350F/ 180C for almost 30 minutes.
If you’re planning to keep it for longer than 2-3 days before serving it, this scalloped potatoes dish can be frozen once it has cooled down.
Yes! You can freeze Scalloped Potatoes and Ham for up to 1 month.
Easily to defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat the next day before serving it.
Easy (No Fail) Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Easy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham recipe. Cheesy thin cut potato layers and cooked ham (Easter ham leftovers) baked in the oven. Freezer meal
Ingredients
- 6 cups potato slices, thin sliced (1/4 inch)
- 2 cups ham, any cooked ham or Easter ham leftovers
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups milk, regular milk or 2% milk
- 2 cups cheese, cheddar cheese, or a combination of cheddar and mozzarella
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Have your potatoes washed (and peeled, if preferred) and cut them thin (about1/4 inch) or use a mandolin slicer. Add them to a bowl and add chopped cooked ham too. Season with salt and pepper and give them a good toss.
- In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter on medium heat. Stir in flour gradually and whisk until smooth. Add grated cheese too and whisk. Gradually add milk and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper and add some of the dried herbs too. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Preheat oven to 375F/ 190C.
- Prepare a 13x9 inch baking dish and grease it with some butter. Add half the potato and ham mix to the baking dish and spread it evenly. Top with half of the sauce. Add the other half potato mix to the tray and pour oven the remaining sauce, making sure that the whole area is covered by the sauce.
- Cover with foil and bake at 375F/ 190C for almost 70 minutes or until potatoes are tender (check them with a fork, if you can easily pierce them, they are done)
- Remove from oven, remove the foil, sprinkle a handful of shredded cheese on top, add a bit more dried herbs and bake, uncovered for another 10-15 minutes, until the top with golden and bubbly.
What My Readers are Saying about my Scalloped Potatoes Recipe and their True & Tried photos
“This was really good. I did add cooked onions mixed with cooked celery and put it between the layers. I had a lot of celery to get rid of. It really added a lot of flavor plus added fiber. Perhaps next time I will add black eyed peas.” Annie on Pinterest
“Delicious!! The fam got to it before I could snap a pic. 😂🤷🏼♀️. They loved it. (Used food chopped for my ham – that worked beautifully! Also used mixture Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese)” Photo: Valarie Leach
“I added spices but great way to use up ham. My family loved it. Comfort food and easy.” Chris on Pinterest
“First time making scalloped potatoes on my own…it’s a winner!” Olivia on Pinterest
“Good comfort food. Added in some extra garlic and onion for flavor.” Rachel on Pinterest
“Well so that was delicious. Used a ham steak I browned a bit” Photo: Christianne
“Delicious Thank you for the recipe.” Photo: Katie Rasche
“Amazing!!” Photo: Cassia Fox
“I made and it’s delish! Thank You!” Kim on Pinterest
“I followed the recipe except for I didn’t have chives but I added sliced onions instead. Great recipe. Cheese sauce turned out great but needed more flavor so I added a little salt at the end. Family enjoyed it and it went far. Next time I will add minced garlic to the butter and mite salt. But overall great crowd pleasing recipe!” Stefani on Pinterest
“So easy and tasted great! You could really add anything to this. We enjoyed it!” Danni on Pinterest
For more photos and comments please click the pin below
Marie says
This looks so good! I haven’t made scalloped potatoes and ham for a long time, but I might have to try them again soon. Thanks for sharing!
Jessie says
Best scalloped and ham recipe ever! Everyone loved it
Lisa says
This turned out so nicely. My first attempt and it was so pretty!
Maxi says
Great meal. Even better warmed up the next day. Thanks
Deborah says
Delicious! I used red potatoes, slicing them thin with my mandolin. I used Kraft Triple Cheddar cheese, both inside and on top. I did not have chives, so I chopped up a yellow onion and mixed it in with the ham and potatoes. I used more ham, than the original 2 cups, not really measuring, just tossing it in, until I was satisfied. I also used Lactaid, since we do not use milk. My husband and son went back for seconds. It was a hit and I will be making it again!
Linda says
Just made this tonight . Followed recipe exactly (always do the first time making a new recipe) and will not change a thing. My husband can’t stop raving about it! I agree!!!!! Great recipe!
Joan Kusich says
This recipe is t u e best ever only change was adding diced onion and celery to butter
Will make this again for sure
Carolyn says
Made this yesterday I sautéed some onions and added to the sauce. Very good!
Sarah says
Have you made these using a crockpot? I’m craving these but it’s too hot out for the oven. I’m assuming you would make the recipe the same and cook it for maybe 6 hours??
Adore Foods says
Hi Sarah, haven’t made the recipe in a crockpot, unfortunately. It may work or not, not sure what to say. Sorry cannot be more of help with it 🙂
Marcia says
Fabulous recipe! I used white cheddar, some leftover cubes of Monterey and Colby jack and Italian cheese blend. I also cooked some minced onion in the butter. I didn’t read the recipe close enough and added my milk before the cheese. After the milk got hot, I added the cheeses. Such a great way to use up leftover ham. Love it!
Jessica Johnson says
Excellent recipe, it was a hit with the whole family! I used 1/2 & 1/2 instead of milk which was a lil richer but delicious!! Thank you!
Ariel V. says
Looks awesome! I’m planning to make this as a few freezer meals since we have a ham that needs to be used up! For freezing should I cook it first then freeze? Or is it better to assemble it and then freeze without cooking? Thank you!
Julie says
Delicious! I used about 10 medium potatoes and doubled the sauce. Baked at 375 for 1-1/2 hours. Will make again.
Vicki says
Ham Leftovers from???
Very good!
Added onion and celery!
Pre cooked the potatoes, so delicious 😋
Dena says
Fantastic recipe. Super easy and delicious! This is definitely going in my rotation. A great way to use up random bits of cheese, too.
Debbie says
Had canned sliced potatoes needed to use and wanted a quick meal. Everyone thought it was delish. Used 4 cans of potatoes with leftover ham. Then added tsp onion powder, tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp pepper. Also used Velveeta in sauce mixture. Then layered potatoes, ham, sauce twice and topped it off with French fried onions. Then all I had to do was heat casserole to warmed through.
Jamie says
This was delicious. I used a hamsteak, cut up. Lots of onion and seasonings. I took your advice and boiled the potatoes about 10 minutes. An extra step, but made a big difference! The casserole was soft and creamy. I also used evaporated milk, as I didn’t have reg. Honestly, any cheese would be good in this! We had broccoli florets and baby carrots with it.
Heidi says
So yummy. Made according to recipe with Mozerella and marble cheese. Could have sued some more flavour….garlic, onion , etc but still yummy.