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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coating a large baking dish with unsalted butter to prevent sticking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Complete the final layer with a generous sprinkle of cheese, creating a golden, crispy top that will develop during the baking process.
- 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