Cozy Ina Garten Scalloped Potatoes And Ham Recipe For Dinner

Scalloped potatoes and ham burst with comforting flavors that dance across your palate like a culinary symphony.

Imagine tender potato slices nestled between layers of succulent ham, creating a mouthwatering masterpiece that whispers of home.

Creamy cheese melts luxuriously between each golden-edged potato, transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary feast.

Fragrant herbs and carefully selected spices elevate this classic dish beyond simple weeknight fare.

Hearty and soul-warming, this recipe promises to transport you to cherished memories of family dinners.

Every forkful promises a perfect balance of crispy edges and luscious, velvety center.

Get ready to fall in love with a recipe that turns dinner into a celebration of flavor.

Cooking Tools to Prep Ina’s Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

• Large Baking Dish: Essential for creating layered potato casserole, needs thorough buttering to prevent sticking.
• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for crafting smooth white sauce, helps control heat while whisking.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending flour, milk, and preventing lumpy sauce texture.
• Skillet: Ideal for caramelizing onions to golden perfection with even heat distribution.
• Cutting Board: Necessary for slicing potatoes and onions with precision.
• Sharp Knife: Helps create thin, uniform potato and onion slices.
• Cheese Grater: Quickly shreds cheese for melty, delicious topping.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for consistent results.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Assists in stirring and layering ingredients smoothly.
• Oven Mitts: Protects hands when handling hot baking dish and removing from oven.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

• Potatoes: Choose firm, waxy varieties like Yukon Gold for creamy, smooth texture that holds shape during baking.
• Butter: Select high-quality, unsalted butter for rich, clean flavor and smooth melting.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour for consistent thickening and smooth white sauce preparation.

• Ham: Pick lean, thick-cut ham with minimal fat for robust flavor and tender meat.
• Milk: Opt for whole milk to create luxurious, velvety white sauce with deeper richness.
• Cheese: Select sharp cheddar or gruyère for intense, melty goodness and golden-brown topping.

• Onions: Pick sweet yellow onions for caramelized, mellow flavor that adds depth to the dish.
• Salt: Use fine sea salt for balanced, clean seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Choose freshly ground black pepper for vibrant, bold spiciness.

How Ina Builds Her Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

• Fire Up The Oven

Create a cozy cooking environment by warming the oven to a toasty 350°F. Lovingly coat your baking dish with butter, ensuring every nook and cranny gets some slippery love.

• Craft Silky Sauce Base

Dance butter and flour together in a saucepan, whisking them into a smooth, creamy embrace. Let them mingle and develop rich flavor for a quick minute.

• Transform Sauce Into Liquid Gold

Pour milk into your butter mixture with a gentle hand, stirring constantly to keep things smooth. Watch the magic happen as the sauce transforms into a luxurious, velvety texture that clings beautifully to your spoon.

• Awaken Flavor Sensations

Sprinkle in salt and pepper, turning your sauce into a taste explosion that will make taste buds dance with joy.

• Caramelize Onion Magic

Coax onions into golden submission, letting them sizzle and soften until they become sweet, translucent jewels of deliciousness.

• Build Delectable Layers

Spread a creamy sauce foundation, then nestle potato slices like edible artwork. Let each slice overlap gently, creating a delightful potato landscape.

• Create Flavor Symphony

Layer your culinary masterpiece with caramelized onions, savory ham, and cascading cheese. Each addition builds a more mouthwatering experience.

• Bake To Perfection

Slide your creation into the oven and let it transform. After 45 minutes, you’ll have a bubbling, golden-brown treasure that screams comfort and love.

Cooking Tips for Creamier Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

• Elevate Your Potato Gratin
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like gruyère, fontina, or sharp cheddar to create unique flavor profiles that tantalize your taste buds.
• Customize Protein Options
• Swap ham with crispy bacon, pancetta, or roasted chicken for a personalized twist that keeps the dish exciting and adaptable to your preferences.
• Boost Vegetable Richness
• Sneak in extra nutrition by adding layers of thinly sliced zucchini, spinach, or roasted bell peppers between potato layers for more depth and color.
• Make-Ahead Magic
• Prepare the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the total cooking time for perfect golden results.

How to Serve Ina’s Classic Scalloped Potatoes Dish

• Pair with Fresh Green Salad: Crisp lettuce, cucumber slices, and a light vinaigrette complement the rich, creamy potato ham casserole, balancing its hearty flavors and adding refreshing texture.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Warm, rustic sourdough or French bread helps soak up the delicious white sauce, providing a delightful contrast to the soft, cheesy potatoes.
• Add Tangy Side Condiment: A small dollop of Dijon mustard or pickled relish cuts through the casserole's richness, offering a zesty flavor punch that enhances the entire dish.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped chives or parsley on top for a burst of color, added freshness, and a subtle herbal note that lifts the entire casserole's flavor profile.

Storage Tips for Leftover Ina’s Scalloped Potatoes

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Cover the potato gratin tightly with aluminum foil or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The creamy white sauce and layered ingredients will stay delicious when sealed properly and kept at a consistent cool temperature.
• Easy Reheating Method: Revive cold gratin by warming in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out, ensuring the dish remains moist and appetizing. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes to restore a crispy top layer.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Freeze individual portions wrapped securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, which helps maintain the dish's original creamy consistency and rich flavor profile.

Crispy Ina Garten Scalloped Potatoes And Ham Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s scalloped potatoes and ham blend creamy layers of thinly sliced potatoes with savory ham in a classic comfort dish. Rich cheese sauce and golden-brown edges make this recipe a hearty family favorite you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (226 grams) grated Cheddar cheese
• 12 oz (340 grams) ¼-inch sliced baked ham
• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsps (45 grams) butter
• 2 tbsps (16 grams) flour
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) milk
• Salt
• Pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and generously butter a large baking dish to ensure seamless food release and prevent sticking.
2. Sauce Creation: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, swiftly incorporating flour and whisking continuously to develop a smooth, nutty roux without raw flour undertones.
3. Liquid Integration: Gradually stream milk into the roux, maintaining constant whisking to cultivate a velvety, lump-free white sauce with impeccable consistency.
4. Seasoning Enhancement: Infuse the sauce with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, creating a nuanced flavor foundation that elevates the entire dish.
5. Onion Preparation: Caramelize thinly sliced onions in butter until they transform into golden, translucent strands, releasing their inherent sweetness and depth of flavor.
6. Layer Assembly: Strategically construct the casserole by alternating layers of sliced potatoes, caramelized onions, ham slices, and shredded cheese, ensuring each component is generously covered with the prepared white sauce.
7. Cheese Finalization: Crown the dish with a lavish layer of cheese, promising a decadent, golden-brown crust that will develop during the baking process.
8. Baking Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, watching for a rich golden surface and testing potato tenderness with a fork to confirm complete culinary transformation.

Notes

• Butter Matters: Use high-quality unsalted butter for coating the dish and creating a smooth, rich white sauce for optimal flavor and non-stick performance.
• Sauce Technique: Whisk continuously while adding milk to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, perfectly smooth white sauce that coats ingredients evenly.
• Layering Strategy: Create even, balanced layers with consistent distribution of potatoes, ham, onions, and cheese to ensure every bite delivers complex, harmonious flavors.
• Doneness Check: Test potato tenderness by gently piercing with a fork; golden-brown surface indicates perfectly baked scalloped potatoes with a deliciously crispy top layer.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg