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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and generously butter a large baking dish to ensure seamless food release and prevent sticking.
- 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.
- Liquid Integration: Gradually stream milk into the roux, maintaining constant whisking to cultivate a velvety, lump-free white sauce with impeccable consistency.
- Seasoning Enhancement: Infuse the sauce with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, creating a nuanced flavor foundation that elevates the entire dish.
- Onion Preparation: Caramelize thinly sliced onions in butter until they transform into golden, translucent strands, releasing their inherent sweetness and depth of flavor.
- 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.
- Cheese Finalization: Crown the dish with a lavish layer of cheese, promising a decadent, golden-brown crust that will develop during the baking process.
- 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