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Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole

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Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole is a hearty, comforting way to use leftover ham. Full of diced ham, peas, potatoes and a creamy cheese sauce. It’ll be family favorite!

I live in a house where people aren’t crazy about leftovers. That means that when it comes to using them up, I’ve got to get a bit creative. I have to turn it into something completely different. That is where casseroles come in to play. They are the perfect way to use up leftovers while turning them into something comforting and delicious.

Ham potato casserole on white plate.

Take this Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole for instance. It is the perfect way to use leftover ham from your holiday dinner. It is loaded with diced ham, tender potatoes and peas then topped with a creamy cheese sauce and cheddar cheese before baking.

Like I said, comforting and delicious! Let’s talk about what you’re going to need to make it.

Ingredients you’ll need:

You don’t need a lot of ingredients to get this casserole on the table and most of them are pantry staples so you’re likely to have them on hand.

Ingredients for cheesy ham potato caserole.
  • HAM: This recipe is the perfect way to use up that leftover ham from your Christmas or Easter dinner. You’ll just want to chop into small pieces.
  • POTATOES: A couple of russet potatoes is what you’ll need for this recipe. For texture purposes, I recommend peeling the potatoes.
  • FROZEN PEAS: No need to thaw them before using.
  • ONION
  • BUTTER: To saute the onions, ham and peas.
  • FLOUR: This will thicken the cheese sauce.
  • CHICKEN BROTH: Use low-sodium chicken broth to help control the salt content since both ham and cheese are on the salty side.
  • HEAVY CREAM: This will give the cheese sauce it’s richness.
  • CHEDDAR CHEESE: Medium or sharp cheddar will work. Make sure that you grate it yourself for best results.

Step by Step Photos and Instructions:

One of my favorite things about casseroles is how easy that they are to make. Follow along with these step by step instructions and photos.

  • Step #1: In a large pot, boil potatoes until fork tender. This will take about 5 – 7 minutes.
  • Step #2: Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions. Cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add in potatoes and ham. Transfer to a 13×9 Casserole dish.
  • Step #3: In the same pan that you sautéed the onions in melt the remaining butter, whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. It’s important to cook the flour for 1 minute to avoid any floury taste. Then whisk in the chicken broth and slowly add cream. Whisk in pepper and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
  • Step #4: Pour the cheese sauce mixture over the top of the ham and potatoes. Top with more cheddar cheese and cover with aluminum foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is browned.

I don’t list any additional salt in this recipe because the ham and cheese are naturally pretty salty. I suggest sprinkling salt after cooking or adding some to the ham/potato mixture before baking.

Ham potato casserole in white casserole dish.

Storage and Leftovers:

This casserole will keep for a few days in the refrigerator and reheats great! Simply warm in a 325 degree oven until warmed through.

You can also make this casserole ahead of time to the point of baking and refrigerate until ready to use. If heating from cold, it may take a little longer to cook.

I love this Ham Potato Casserole because it’s a complete meal with the ham as your protein, carbs from potatoes and veggies from the peas. That being said, a green salad with some garlic vinaigrette would be a great side!

A forkful of ham casserole

Looking for more ways to use leftover ham? Try these recipes:

Ham and Potato Soup is a comforting soup that is perfect for a cold day!

For a lunch idea turn that leftover ham into Ham Salad for a sandwich!

Turn that Christmas ham into a New Year’s appetizer with these Ham Gruyere Bites

Ham potato casserole on white plate.

Ham Potato Casserole

Cheesy Ham Potato Casserole is a hearty, comforting way to use leftover ham. Full of diced ham, peas, potatoes and a creamy cheese sauce. It'll be family favorite!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 426 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and diced
  • 7 tablespoons butter divided
  • 1/2 whole yellow onion diced
  • 3 cups diced ham
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Place potatoes in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender 5 – 7 minutes. Drain.
  • In a large pan melt 3 tablespoons of butter add onions and saute just untli they start to soften 3 – 5 minutes. Add in potatoes, ham and peas. Mix well and transfer to 13×9 inch casserole dish.
  • In the same pan, melt remaining butter whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in chicken broth and then slowly whisk in cream. Stir in pepper and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Cook until the cheese melts. Pour over ham potato mixture. Top with remaining cheese.
  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Uncover and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until cheese browns slightly. Serve hot.

Notes

It is important to allow the flour to cook for 1 minute to avoid an overly “floury” taste in the cheese sauce. 
This can be made in advance until the point of baking and refrigerated until ready to use. If may take a bit longer to cook if cooked from cold. 
Nutrition information for estimation purposes only. 

Nutrition

Calories: 426kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 25gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 1038mgPotassium: 663mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 886IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 325mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: casserole, Christmas, ham, leftovers

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Des

Hey! I'm Des!

Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

Read more »

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