Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham are the best way to feed a crowd and can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen. Bake them in the oven or cook them in the Crock Pot for an easy side dish idea!

Love easy side dish ideas? Be sure to try my Twice Baked Potato Casserole recipe (from The Pioneer Woman!) next!

A casserole dish on wooden surface filled with Scalloped potatoes with ham with a wooden spoon in it.

Ingredients

  • Yukon Gold Potatoes– They hold their shape best when baked. Slice them all thin for even cooking. A mandoline slicer makes this very easy.
  • Butter– I prefer Cabot brand.
  • Yellow Onion– I like to caramelize it for a greater depth of flavor. (And they become so silky smooth, onion haters won’t even know they’re in there!)
  • Fresh Garlic– Freshly minced garlic at home is much better than jarred garlic or garlic powder.
  • Flour
  • Half and Half– Milk may also be used
  • Rosemary
  • Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Sage
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Gruyere Cheese– cheddar may be used in it’s place but it compliments the caramelized onion very well.
  • Ham– this is optional but adds nice flavor and texture.
  • Parmesan cheese– finely grated into a powder to top off the dish.
  • Fresh Parsley– to garnish.

⭐Pro Tip: Slice the potatoes very thin, about 1/8 inch thick. You’ll want equally-sized slices for even cooking. A mandoline slicer makes this much easier.

Side by side pictures of potatoes in a casserole dish then topped with cheese sauce and ham

Side by side images of scalloped potatoes in a casserole dish before and after being baked.

Make-Ahead Method

Scalloped potatoes are easy to make ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 weeks.

  • Assemble and bake at 400°, covered, for 30 minutes.
  • Let them cool completely. Freeze or refrigerate.
  • If you freeze them, thaw in the fridge overnight.
  • Let them sit out for 30 minutes prior to baking.
  • Bake in a 375° oven for 25 minutes, or until the top is begins to brown.

Crock Pot Method

  • To prepare scalloped potatoes in the Crock Pot, assemble the casserole as instructed.
  • Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8-9 hours.
  • Add finely grated Parmesan.
  • Leave the lid off for an extra 15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve.

Can you Freeze Cooked Scalloped Potatoes?

Yes. Freeze cooked scalloped potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

  • Let them defrost overnight or thaw it in the microwave.
  • Cover and reheat in the microwave or in a 350° oven until heated through, (depends on portion size).
  • You may also choose to reheat in a skillet over medium/medium-high heat. This creates a crispy crust on the bottom that you’ll love.

Serving Suggestion: This pairs perfectly with Ina Garten’s Roast Chicken!

Close up view of a wooden spoon filled with cheesy scalloped potatoes and ham.

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A plate full of cheesy scalloped potatoes with ham with a fork in the background.

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I would love for you to leave a rating and a comment below! How’d you do?! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
4.88 from 16 ratings
Servings: 8 servings
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Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham are the best way to feed a crowd and can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen. Bake them in the oven or cook them in the Crock Pot for an easy side dish idea!

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric
  • 6 medium Yukon Gold Potatoes

Cheese Sauce

  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced into strings
  • 3 cloves garlic,, minced
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups half and half, or milk
  • 3/4 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp sage
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese,, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese,, shredded
  • 1 cup cooked ham, diced

Topping/Garnish

  • 1/4 cup Parmesan, finely grated into a powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Parley, roughly chopped

Instructions

Preparing the Cheese Sauce:

  • Shred the cheddar and Gruyere cheese and set aside, it should be close to room temperature when mixed into the sauce. **Reserve 1/2 cup of the cheddar to top the casserole with.
  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. 
  • Add the sliced onions and cook onions for 20 minutes (or more), stirring occasionally. They should begin to brown and caramelize.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Gradually add the flour, and mix constantly to form a paste. Heat for 1 minute.
  • Temper the half and half/milk by heating it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Add it to the saucepan and stir to combine.
  • Add the 3/4 tsp of rosemary, then 1/2 tsp each of oregano, thyme, and sage. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Gradually sprinkle in 1 + 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar and 1/2 cup of the Gruyere until smooth and well combined.
  • Mix in the ham, you may want to reserve some to top the casserole with.

Assemble the Casserole

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly, about 1/8 inch thick. (A mandoline slicer makes this much easier.)
  • Lay 1/3 of the potatoes in a single layer, overlapping each other, on the bottom of a lightly greased 9 x 13 casserole dish. Season lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
  • Spoon 1/3 of the cheese sauce over the potatoes and use a pastry brush to completely cover the potatoes with the sauce, to retain their color.
  • Repeat twice more until all of the potatoes and sauce are layered in the casserole dish. 
  • Top with remaining cheddar cheese and any reserved diced ham.
  • Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.
  • If making ahead: Let it cool completely and freeze or refrigerate until ready to serve. See notes.
  • Remove cover. Add 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan.
  • Reduce heat to 375 and bake for an additional 25 minutes, until the cheese is hot, bubbling, and begins to brown.
  • Top with chopped parsley and let it sit for 5 minutes prior to serving.

Notes

Make-Ahead Method

To make scalloped potatoes ahead of time, assemble and bake them in a 400 degree oven, covered, for 30 minutes.
Let it cool completely. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 2-3 weeks.
Let it thaw in the fridge overnight if you freeze them.
Let them sit out for 30 minutes prior to baking.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25 minutes, or until the top is begins to brown.

Crock Pot Method

  • To prepare scalloped potatoes in the Crock Pot, assemble the casserole as instructed.
  • Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8-9 hours.  
  • Leave the lid off for an additional 15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 405kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 80mg, Sodium: 518mg, Potassium: 707mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 732IU, Vitamin C: 27mg, Calcium: 397mg, Iron: 2mg
Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Author: Stephanie
This cheesy scalloped potatoes and ham recipe includes instructions for a simple make-ahead method, up to two days before serving! It also includes instructions for same-day serving. Either way, these scalloped potatoes are easy, cheesy, and delicious! | The Cozy Cook | #Potatoes #ScallopedPotatoes #Cheese #Ham #Easter #SideDishes #MakeAhead #ChristmasSides #ThanksgivingSides #EasterSides #CheesyPotatoes