adapted from The Pioneer Woman
A few weeks ago I was looking for something to make as a side dish and remembered seeing an episode of The Pioneer Woman where she made some awesome scalloped potatoes. Now, I grew up on the Betty Crocker version and that, for real, is the only version I've ever made. I've never been totally happy with that version but hey, it's potatoes and ham so who's complaining? Well, let me tell you, this recipe is THE best Scalloped Potato recipe I have ever had and I didn't even include ham in it since I didn't have any! The potatoes came out perfectly cooked and (drum roll please) there was no watery liquid in the baking dish! Instead the sauce was think and cheese and oh so good! I'm kinda sad that I won't make this again until the fall it was so good!
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Russet Or Yukon Gold Potatoes, Washed Thoroughly
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 whole Yellow Onion, Diced
- 3 cups Diced Ham
- 1-1/2 cup Half-and-half
- 1-1/2 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/4 cup Flour
- Black Pepper To Taste
- 1 cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup Grated Monterey Jack Cheese
- Chopped Parsley (optional)
Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a large casserole dish.
Heat butter in a large skillet. Add onions and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until they start to turn translucent. Add ham and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat and set aside.
Combine half-and-half and cream in a microwave-safe container and nuke for a minute or so, until no longer cold. Whisk in flour and black pepper until totally combined. Set aside. (You may add salt, but cheese and ham are salty, so add sparingly.)
Combine the two grated cheeses. Set aside.
Using a mandoline or slicer, slice potatoes into 1/8-inch slices (very thin.) Layer 1/3 of the potato slices in the buttered casserole dish. Sprinkle on 1/3 of the ham/onion mixture, then 1/3 of the cheese, then pour on 1/3 of the cream mixture.
Repeat this twice more, ending with a sprinkling of cheese and a pouring on of the rest of the cream mixture. Cover dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes at least, or until bubbly and hot.
Cut into squares and serve. Sprinkle on chopped parsley if you'd like!
(Note: To speed along the process a bit, you may boil sliced potatoes for 3 to 5 minutes before assembling the casserole. Just drain and slightly cool before assembling.)
Heat butter in a large skillet. Add onions and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until they start to turn translucent. Add ham and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat and set aside.
Combine half-and-half and cream in a microwave-safe container and nuke for a minute or so, until no longer cold. Whisk in flour and black pepper until totally combined. Set aside. (You may add salt, but cheese and ham are salty, so add sparingly.)
Combine the two grated cheeses. Set aside.
Using a mandoline or slicer, slice potatoes into 1/8-inch slices (very thin.) Layer 1/3 of the potato slices in the buttered casserole dish. Sprinkle on 1/3 of the ham/onion mixture, then 1/3 of the cheese, then pour on 1/3 of the cream mixture.
Repeat this twice more, ending with a sprinkling of cheese and a pouring on of the rest of the cream mixture. Cover dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes at least, or until bubbly and hot.
Cut into squares and serve. Sprinkle on chopped parsley if you'd like!
(Note: To speed along the process a bit, you may boil sliced potatoes for 3 to 5 minutes before assembling the casserole. Just drain and slightly cool before assembling.)
