Au Gratin Potatoes & Ham
Comfort food casseroles warm the body and the spirit. This traditional recipe combines potatoes, ham and cheese, with a hint of mustard, for a warm and hearty meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds white russet potatoes about 6 medium
- 2 cups diced ham
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 tablespoon flour heaping
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 cups 2% or whole milk room temperature
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Swiss, Monterrey Jack, etc), divided, room temperature
- 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Peel and slice potatoes and layer with the ham in a 9”x13” pan.
- Melt butter over low heat in a skillet, add onion and sauté until onion is tender (3-4 minutes). Whisk in flour, pepper, ground mustard and parsley stirring constantly until bubbly (1-2 minutes). Slowly stir in milk (1/2 cup at a time) and bring back to a very low boil. Add 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese (1/2 cup at a time), whisking after each addition until melted.
- Pour cheese sauce over the potatoes/ham. Use a fork to gently distribute the sauce throughout the potatoes. Bake, uncovered, for one hour and 20 minutes.
- Combine bread crumbs, remaining cheese and paprika. Sprinkle on top of casserole and return to oven for 20 minutes, or until top is brown and bubbly.