Ham potato casserole is a classic dish made with cooked ham, potatoes, cheese, and liquid. It can be made with pre-packaged or homemade ingredients, and vegetables can be added. Any pre-cooked ham can be used, along with diced or sliced potatoes. Liquid can be water, milk, broth, or cream, and cheese is usually added on top. Spices can enhance the flavor, and the finished dish is thick and moist.
A ham potato casserole is a classic dish that, in its simplest form, is a mixture of cooked ham, potatoes, cheese, and a little liquid that is cooked in a pan until moist, hot, and creamy. Primarily prepared as a homemade casserole, some recipes rely heavily on pre-packaged items such as instant potatoes, canned soups, or frozen ingredients. At the same time, there are recipes that are quite intense, using bechamel sauces, specially roasted ham and different varieties of potatoes. Vegetables such as peas, corn, green beans, and broccoli are sometimes added to ham potato casserole. No matter what ingredients are added, the finished casserole is usually thick and moist inside, sometimes even stew-like, with a layer of melted or browned cheese or breadcrumbs on top.
The type of ham used in a ham potato casserole can be virtually any pre-cooked variety. If convenience is an issue, then leftover ham or ready-to-cut meats can often be cut into chunks and used. Some recipes call for bone-in ham, but processed hams often sold in grocery stores can work just as well, although they tend to have more salt than other types. In addition to ham, bacon that has been previously fried can be crumbled into the mixture.
The potatoes in a ham potato casserole can be diced or sliced into thin discs. While not required, they can be parboiled before cooking. One popular option is to use instant potato gratin which comes in a dry state, sometimes with a powdered cheese or flavored sauce that can be poured into the casserole and reconstituted during cooking. Another convenient option that can help you avoid chopping and boiling your potatoes is to use frozen potatoes, such as hash browns, that have already been cut or shaped.
In addition to the ham and potatoes, diced onions and some type of liquid are usually added to a basic ham potato casserole. The liquid can be water, milk, broth, or heavy cream. Some recipes call for making a béchamel sauce from butter, flour, and milk, mixed with the cheese for the dish, and then poured into the pan. While the dish is cooking, the liquid in the ham potato casserole will thicken and help bind the dish together while also giving the starches in the potatoes a base to interact with.
Once all the ingredients are placed in the pan, the cheese can be stirred or sprinkled on top. Cheddar cheese is often used, as is Swiss cheese, though anything from mozzarella to provolone is appropriate as long as it’s melted. Spices such as mustard powder, pepper, and nutmeg can also be added to enhance the flavor. Once the Baked Potato Casserole has finished cooking in the oven, it can be served hot alongside a salad or cooked vegetables.
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