Au Gratin Potatoes and Ham
Whenever I’m asked to bring a side dish to a potluck or family gathering - this is almost always what I bring. You can’t beat the combination of potatoes, ham and cheese. It’s easy to make, and even better to eat! You can make this in the oven or slow cooker – it can even be made the day before and baked when you need it. Very simple and very good.
Au Gratin Potatoes and Ham
8 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 small onion, diced
1 cup cooked ham, diced
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
3 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried mustard
pinch of cayenne (more if you like it spicy)
salt and pepper to taste
In a medium saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour. Whisk in milk and add mustard, salt, pepper and cayenne. Continue whisking until mixture is thick and comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add cheese. Stir until melted. In a buttered casserole dish place a layer of potatoes, top with half the onions and half of the ham. Spread half of the cheese sauce on top. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until potatoes are tender and sauce is bubbly and lightly browned. Enjoy!
Hint: Sometimes I par-boil my potatoes if I am short on time – then it only takes about 40 minutes to cook. I have also made this in the slow cooker on the low setting for 4 – 6 hours.
I realize that you can buy boxes of Au Gratin Potatoes for pretty cheap – but they do not compare to the real thing! This is a very satisfying meal when paired with some broccoli or a green salad or both. This recipe costs $4.00 to make and serves 4 as a main dish.
Do you have a meal you like to make for a potluck or family gathering? Can it be made in advance? I’d love to hear from you!
Yum!
This sounds fantastic. I am definitely going to try it. I will let you know how it turns out! Thanks for posting.
Thanks! I look forward to it!
Oh, this is a favorite of mine for sure!
Mine too!
I’m not a big fan of au gatin potatoes, but I love ham and potatoes. My family has a favorite recipe called Leprechaun Casserole that we always bring out around St. Patrick’s Day. It’s just ground beef, potatoes, shredded cheese, peas, and mushroom soup. Big crowd pleaser. I also like making fruit salads to take to potlucks. I can shoot you the recipe if you like.
That sounds good, please do send it to me! Thanks!
easy, yummy and cheap! What’s not to love
?
)
Being Italian, when my family comes up to visit me, I always make some fresh filled pasta (tortelli di patate, usually): I can make them ahed and freeze them for ever or so
When instead I go down, I make bread for them (the pasta is always made by nan, who’s a million time better at it then me
That sounds really good! It’s been a long time since I made some filled pasta – something I used to do with my gram….I think it’s time to bring back the tradition!
That dish looks like the perfect comfort food! Your blog is really uplifting and charming.
Thank you so much! It is great comfort food…although I think most food is comfort food!
I couldn’t agree more! Just saw your recipe for lemon cream pancakes — I can’t wait to try it out.
I’d love to hear what you think of them!
Lemon, fruit and pancakes – I am already smitten!
Talking about them is giving me a major craving! I think I’d like to have them with blackberries….
I was thinking raspberries but blackberries would be equally delish! Happy weekend!
Thanks – you too!
Those look delish!! I’ll be making them this weekend I think. As for buying au gratin potatoes pretty cheap–yes you can, but they are so full of sodium and preservatives that it makes it worth it to make them from scratch.
I agree! I love being able to control the salt in the foods I make. I’d love to hear what you think of the dish!
I’ve made them twice now, and the second time I tweaked your recipe. I blogged about it here: http://hypercello.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/au-gratin-potatoes/
Saw your post! Thanks so much for the shout out!
I’m glad you liked them and you made them your own…that’s what cooking’s all about!
Pingback: 11 Low Cost Meal Ideas Under $1.42 Per Serving « A Modern Christian Woman
Pingback: Au Gratin Potatoes « hypercello