Easy Ina Garten Scalloped Potatoes And Ham Recipe That Wows

Scalloped potatoes and ham represent the quintessential comfort food that warms hearts during chilly evenings.

Layers of creamy, tender potatoes interlaced with savory ham create a delightful culinary experience that feels like a welcoming embrace.

Rich, velvety cheese melts between each carefully sliced potato, transforming simple ingredients into a magnificent dish.

Sophisticated yet homey, this recipe balances indulgence with nostalgic memories of family gatherings.

Fragrant herbs and carefully selected ingredients elevate the classic combination to something extraordinary.

The harmonious blend of textures and flavors promises a satisfying meal that will leave everyone feeling content.

You’ll find yourself craving another helping before the first bite is finished: dive into deliciousness.

What Makes Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Comfort in a Dish

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This recipe delivers a luxurious blend of tender potatoes, melted cheese, and succulent ham in a velvety white sauce that hugs every bite with pure comfort.
• Master Simple Layering Technique: Creating delicious meals becomes effortless with this straightforward method of building flavor layers, making even novice cooks feel like professional chefs in their own kitchen.
• Transform Humble Ingredients: Ordinary potatoes, ham, and basic pantry staples magically combine into an impressive dish that looks and tastes like it came from a gourmet restaurant, elevating everyday ingredients into something spectacular.
• Quick Family-Friendly Meal: With just over an hour of total preparation and cooking time, this one-dish wonder provides a hearty, satisfying meal that brings everyone together around the dinner table, perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Main Ingredients:

Potatoes: Starchy and hearty base for the casserole, preferably using waxy or all-purpose potatoes for best texture and even cooking.

Ham: Protein-rich ingredient that adds savory flavor and substance to the dish, best when using leftover or deli-style ham slices.

Cheese: Provides creamy richness and golden-brown topping, sharp cheddar or gruyère work wonderfully for extra flavor.

Sauce Ingredients:

Butter: Essential for creating a smooth white sauce and sautéing onions, use unsalted for better flavor control.

Flour: Crucial thickening agent that helps create a silky, smooth sauce without lumps.

Milk: Provides liquid base for the white sauce, whole milk recommended for richer consistency.

Seasoning and Aromatics:

Onions: Adds depth and sweetness to the dish, thinly sliced for even distribution and caramelization.

Salt and Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile of the casserole.

Step-by-Step Guide to Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter a large baking dish, covering every inch of the interior surface to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Creamy White Sauce

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning or clumping.

Step 3: Build Smooth Sauce Texture

Remove saucepan from heat and slowly pour in milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Return to medium heat and stir until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Add Flavor Enhancers

• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix thoroughly to distribute seasoning evenly.

Step 5: Caramelize Onions

In a separate skillet, melt butter. Add thinly sliced onions and sauté for 8-10 minutes until golden and soft, stirring occasionally.

Step 6: Start First Layer

Spread 1/3 of white sauce across the bottom of buttered baking dish. Arrange half of sliced potatoes in an even, overlapping layer.

Step 7: Complete Layering

• Sautéed onions
• Ham slices
• Shredded cheese
• Remaining white sauce

Repeat layering process, ending with a cheese topping.

Step 8: Bake Until Golden

Place dish in preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. Look for golden brown edges, bubbly cheese, and tender potatoes when pierced with a fork.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

• Elevate Herb Infusion: Crush fresh thyme or rosemary between your fingers before sprinkling over the dish, releasing more intense aromatic oils that will deeply penetrate the ham and potatoes.
• Master Precise Slicing: Opt for a sharp mandoline with a protective guard to create paper-thin potato slices that will layer beautifully and cook evenly without risking your fingers.
• Customize Cheese Magic: Mix sharp Cheddar with creamy Gruyère for a luxurious blend that melts into golden, complex layers with nutty undertones and rich depth.
• Pre-Cook Potato Hack: Briefly parboil potato slices in salted water for exactly 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry to jumpstart the cooking process and ensure tender, melt-in-your-mouth results.
• Temperature Control Trick: Let the casserole rest for 15 minutes after baking to allow the cheesy sauce to set and make serving cleaner and more elegant.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

• Vacuum Seal Method: Pull out your vacuum sealer for ultimate freshness preservation. Extract air completely from the storage bag to prevent freezer burn and maintain the potatoes' delicious texture. Seal portions individually for easy future meal planning and minimal waste.
• Glass Container Strategy: Transfer cooled scalloped potatoes into high-quality glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Glass prevents flavor absorption from other refrigerator items and allows easy visual tracking of leftovers. Stack containers efficiently to maximize refrigerator space and keep meals organized.
• Flash Freeze Technique: Spread remaining scalloped potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer before final freezing. Quick-freeze prevents large ice crystals from forming and protects the dish's creamy consistency. Transfer frozen portions into labeled freezer bags after 2 hours, ensuring compact storage and preventing potential freezer taste contamination.

Fun Twists on Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

• Vegetarian Potato Casserole: Replace ham with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach for a hearty plant-based version. Use vegetable stock instead of milk to maintain creamy texture and add nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Incorporate diced green chiles, jalapeños, and swap traditional cheese with pepper jack. Add cumin and chili powder to white sauce for a bold, southwestern kick that transforms the classic recipe.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Use goat cheese instead of standard cheese and mix in fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Introduce sun-dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts to give the dish a Mediterranean-inspired profile that elevates the traditional scalloped potatoes.
• Lean Protein Power: Substitute ham with grilled chicken breast or turkey, reducing fat content while maintaining protein levels. Include extra sharp cheddar cheese and sprinkle smoked paprika on top for added depth and complexity.

Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham: A Hearty Classic

Scalloped potatoes and ham represent more than just a meal – they embody culinary comfort.

Ina Garten’s classic recipe whisks home cooks through a nostalgic journey of creamy textures and savory layers.

Ham nestled between potato slices creates a harmonious blend of rich flavors that dance across taste buds.

White sauce serves as liquid gold, binding ingredients into a symphonic dish that warms hearts and satisfies hunger.

Cheese melts into golden rivers, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary experience.

Passionate cooks craving connection with classic American cuisine will find pure delight in this recipe – so grab your skillet, share this masterpiece with loved ones, and let deliciousness spark conversation around your table.

Ina Garten Scalloped Potatoes And Ham Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s scalloped potatoes and ham blend creamy layers of potato with savory ham in a classic American comfort dish. Cheesy, rich, and perfectly seasoned, this recipe brings family-style warmth to your dinner table that welcomes you to savor each comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) ¼-inch sliced baked ham
• 2 cups (226 grams) grated Cheddar cheese

Vegetables and Staples:

• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) butter
• 2 tablespoons (16 grams) flour
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) milk
• Salt
• Pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coating a large baking dish with unsalted butter to prevent sticking.
2. Craft the foundational white sauce by melting 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, carefully whisking in flour and cooking for approximately 60 seconds to eliminate raw flour taste.
3. Transform the butter-flour mixture into a smooth white sauce by gradually incorporating milk while continuously whisking, preventing any potential lumps from forming during the cooking process.
4. Elevate the sauce’s flavor profile by seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring a balanced and robust taste that complements the underlying ingredients.
5. Caramelize thinly sliced onions in a separate skillet with 1 tablespoon of butter, cooking for 8–10 minutes until they develop a golden, translucent appearance and release their natural sweetness.
6. Establish the first foundation layer by spreading one-third of the prepared white sauce across the bottom of the buttered baking dish, creating a creamy base for the subsequent ingredients.
7. Construct alternating layers of sliced potatoes, sautéed onions, ham slices, and shredded cheese, ensuring each component is evenly distributed and generously covered with additional white sauce.
8. Complete the final layer with a generous sprinkle of cheese, creating a golden, crispy top that will develop during the baking process.
9. Bake the assembled dish for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, monitoring until the surface turns a rich golden brown and the potatoes become tender when pierced with a fork, indicating perfect doneness.

Notes

• Slice potatoes consistently using a mandoline or sharp knife to achieve professional-looking, evenly cooked layers.
• Sharp cheddar or gruyère cheese elevates the richness, transforming an ordinary potato dish into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Sautéing onions beforehand releases their natural sweetness, creating a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
• White sauce acts as the magical binding element, delivering a silky, creamy foundation that ties all ingredients together seamlessly.
• Letting the finished dish rest for 10-15 minutes allows layers to settle, making slicing smoother and preserving the perfect texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 447 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 745 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 56 mg