Are you wondering what magical creation you can whip up with that delicious leftover ham? Look no further! This Cheesy Potato Ham Casserole is a timeless favorite, a cherished recipe that has brought warmth and joy to our family tables for generations, and we are thrilled to share it with yours.
Cheesy Potato Ham Casserole: Your New Go-To Leftover Ham Recipe
This Cheesy Potato Ham Casserole isn’t just a recipe; it’s a solution to the age-old question of “what to do with leftover ham?” It’s unbelievably simple to prepare, yet consistently delivers a rich, satisfying flavor that makes it an instant classic. This dish has garnered so much enthusiasm that we’ve seen countless requests for the recipe from our community, all eager to bring this comforting creation into their homes. It’s truly a testament to its irresistible appeal.
Especially during the cooler months, or after holidays when you find yourself with an abundance of ingredients like ham, fresh broccoli, and new potatoes, this ham and potato casserole shines. It’s the perfect easy ham dinner idea for those evenings when you crave something warm, hearty, and effortlessly delicious. It effectively transforms holiday leftovers into a brand-new meal that feels both traditional and exciting. We believe this dish will quickly become as beloved in your household as our famous Busy Day Casserole, which has been a monumental hit with our readers for years.
Growing up, my mom always turned our post-holiday ham into this incredible cheesy potato casserole. It was her ingenious way of ensuring every last bit of those festive ingredients was enjoyed, a tradition she carried from her own childhood. This ham and cheese casserole embodies that spirit of resourceful, delicious home cooking that truly nourishes both body and soul.
One of the most appealing aspects of this leftover ham casserole is its straightforward preparation. While there’s a bit of chopping involved for the potatoes, onions, and ham, along with a quick fry for the bacon, the rest is largely an assembly process. It’s an ideal recipe for getting the whole family involved in the kitchen. Kids can easily help with grating cheese or cubing cream cheese, fostering a love for cooking and creating cherished memories together.
Essential Ingredients for Your Leftover Ham Casserole
Crafting this delightful ham and cheese casserole is remarkably simple, requiring a handful of fresh and flavorful ingredients that come together harmoniously. Here’s what you’ll need for this satisfying ham dinner idea:
- Red Potatoes: Chosen for their creamy texture and ability to hold their shape well after cooking, providing the perfect base for the casserole.
- Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Butter: Essential for sautéing the onions and adding a rich, decadent note to the casserole.
- Cooked Ham: The star of the show! Use any leftover ham you have on hand, diced into bite-sized pieces. It’s what makes this dish a perfect post-holiday meal.
- Steamed Broccoli: Incorporates a touch of green and a wholesome texture, complementing the richness of the ham and cheese. Fresh or frozen steamed broccoli works wonderfully.
- Light Cream Cheese (Neufchâtel Cheese): This secret ingredient melts into creamy pockets throughout the casserole, adding an incredible richness and binding the flavors together without making it overly heavy.
- Cheddar Cheese: The quintessential cheese for casseroles, providing that familiar sharp, gooey, and utterly delicious cheesy layer on top.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon bits are sprinkled on top just before serving, offering a smoky crunch that elevates the entire dish.
This carefully selected combination ensures a balanced, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying cheesy potato ham casserole that everyone will adore.
Step-by-Step: How to Make This Ham and Potato Casserole
Creating this easy leftover ham casserole with cheese and potatoes is a breeze. Follow these simple steps for a truly comforting and delicious meal:
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×9-inch baking dish (or a similar sized dish for a slightly thicker or thinner casserole). This ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking.
- Boil the Potatoes: Wash and chop your red potatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Place them in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. It is crucial that the potatoes are tender at this stage, as undercooked potatoes will remain firm even after baking. Once tender, drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Sauté the Onions: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until they become translucent and fragrant, softening but not browning. This step adds a crucial layer of flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the sautéed onions and butter back into the pot with the drained, tender potatoes. Add the chopped steamed broccoli, diced cooked ham, and cubes of light cream cheese. Stir everything together gently until well combined. Don’t worry if the cream cheese doesn’t completely melt and integrate at this stage; it will melt beautifully in the oven, creating creamy pockets of deliciousness throughout the casserole.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the potato mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add the Cheese Topping: Generously sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole mixture. This will form a golden, bubbly crust during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the casserole is thoroughly heated through, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is lightly golden.
- Final Touch & Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the cooked bacon bits over the top for an added layer of flavor and delightful crunch. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade, comforting cheesy potato ham casserole!
Can I Prepare This Ham Casserole Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Our Cheesy Potato Ham Casserole is an excellent make-ahead meal, perfect for busy weeknights or for preparing in advance for gatherings. You can assemble the entire casserole, up to the point of baking (step 6), a day ahead of time. Simply cover the unbaked casserole tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the fridge, allow it to come closer to room temperature for about 20-30 minutes, and then bake as directed. You might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s still quite cold.
This convenience also makes it a wonderful dish to share. If you’re looking for a thoughtful meal idea to deliver to friends or family who are welcoming a new baby, recovering from an illness, or simply need a little help, this hearty and comforting casserole is an ideal choice. It’s truly a gift of delicious, homemade goodness.
Can I Add Other Vegetables to This Ham and Potato Casserole?
By all means, get creative! This ham and potato casserole is incredibly versatile and welcomes additions. Feel free to bulk it up with any leftover veggies you have in your fridge or favorite vegetables you wish to include. Great additions include sautéed mushrooms, diced bell peppers, cooked peas, corn, or even a handful of fresh spinach wilted into the mixture. The key is to ensure any hard vegetables are cooked or softened before mixing them into the potato base. Depending on the vegetable, you can either sauté them alongside the onion or steam them until tender, just like the broccoli. This not only adds more nutrients but also allows you to customize the flavors to your liking.
Is It Possible to Double This Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole Recipe?
Doubling this recipe is incredibly easy, making it perfect for feeding a crowd, for meal prepping, or for simply ensuring you have plenty of delicious leftovers! To double the recipe, simply multiply all the ingredients by two. Instead of an 8×9-inch baking dish, you will want to use a larger 9×13-inch pan. The baking time might need to be adjusted slightly; keep an eye on it to ensure it’s heated through and bubbly, typically an extra 5-10 minutes. This will yield a substantial and satisfying meal, ideal for potlucks, family dinners, or a week’s worth of lunches.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Leftover Ham Casserole
To ensure your Cheesy Potato Ham Casserole turns out perfectly every time, consider these expert tips:
- Vegetarian Option: If you’re looking to adapt this recipe for vegetarians, simply omit the ham and bacon. You can replace the ham with extra vegetables like sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers, or add a protein alternative like seasoned chickpeas or white beans. This will result in a wonderfully flavorful and cheesy potato casserole, which is equally delicious on its own.
- Potato Choices: While red potatoes are our preferred choice for their creamy texture and ability to maintain their shape, you can absolutely use any type of potatoes you have on hand. Gold potatoes offer a similarly buttery and creamy consistency. Russet potatoes are also fine; just ensure they are peeled and cut into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. The key is to boil them until perfectly tender before incorporating them into the casserole.
- Perfectly Cooked Potatoes are Key: This cannot be stressed enough! Make sure to boil your potatoes until they are genuinely tender when pierced with a fork or knife. If they are still hard or slightly firm at this stage, they will remain undercooked even after baking in the casserole. Thoroughly cooked potatoes are fundamental to achieving the desired soft, comforting texture of this dish.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese to customize the flavor. While cheddar is a classic, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or even a blend of Italian cheeses can add a unique twist.
- Herbs and Spices: Enhance the flavor profile with fresh or dried herbs. A sprinkle of dried thyme, rosemary, or parsley mixed in with the potato mixture can elevate the taste. A pinch of black pepper or a dash of paprika can also add an extra layer of warmth.
- Broccoli Alternatives: If broccoli isn’t your favorite, or you have other vegetables to use up, consider steamed cauliflower, green beans, or even diced carrots. Just remember to pre-cook them until tender.
- Serving Suggestions: This hearty casserole can be a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad for a lighter side or some crusty bread to soak up all the delicious cheesy goodness.
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Cheesy Potato Ham Casserole
Print Recipe
Wondering what to make with leftover ham? This cheesy potato ham casserole is a long-time favorite that I cannot wait to pass down to your family.
Ingredients
- 6 Red Potatoes, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1/3 Cup Onion, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 Cups Broccoli, chopped and steamed
- 2 Cups Ham, cooked, chopped
- 4 Ounces Neufchâtel Cheese, or light cream cheese, cubed
- 1 1/2 Cups Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 4 Slices Bacon, cooked
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray an 8×9-inch baking pan.
- Fill a pot with water and heat over medium heat.
- Add the 6 Red Potatoes and boil until tender when pierced with a knife, about 8 minutes. (It’s key that you cook the potatoes until tender during this step or they will still be too raw even with baking for the dish to be enjoyable.)
- Drain the potatoes and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add the 2 Tablespoons Butter and once it begins to melt, add the 1/3 Cup Onion.
- Sauté until tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Dump the onion and butter into the pot with the potatoes and add the 2 Cups Ham, 1 1/2 Cups Broccoli, and 4 Ounces Neufchâtel Cheese.
- Stir to combine, not worrying about spreading the cream cheese as it should be left in clumps and dump into the baking dish.
- Top with 1 1/2 Cups Cheddar Cheese and bake at 350 for 25 to 35 minutes or until heated through.
- Top with 4 Slices Bacon the last minute and serve!
Recipe Notes
*It’s key that you cook the potatoes until tender during this step or they will still be too raw even with baking for the dish to be enjoyable.
Can be stored for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g
,
Calories: 530kcal
,
Carbohydrates: 37g
,
Protein: 25g
,
Fat: 31g
,
Saturated Fat: 16g
,
Cholesterol: 92mg
,
Sodium: 969mg
,
Potassium: 1273mg
,
Fiber: 4g
,
Sugar: 4g
,
Vitamin A: 715IU
,
Vitamin C: 39mg
,
Calcium: 263mg
,
Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.