Scalloped Potatoes with Ham (Printable)

Tender potato layers with savory ham baked in rich, creamy cheese sauce. Perfect for family dinners and holiday gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Potatoes & Ham

01 - 3.5 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
02 - 9 oz cooked ham, diced

→ Sauce

03 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 3 cups whole milk
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

→ Cheese

12 - 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Garnish (optional)

15 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
03 - Sprinkle in flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1–2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and cream, ensuring no lumps form.
04 - Simmer sauce for 3–4 minutes, stirring until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat and stir in half of the Gruyère and cheddar cheeses until melted.
05 - Arrange half the sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish. Top with half the ham and pour over half the cheese sauce. Repeat with remaining potatoes, ham, and sauce.
06 - Sprinkle remaining Gruyère, cheddar, and all the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
07 - Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
08 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 25–30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and top is golden brown.
09 - Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The layers become impossibly tender while still holding their shape, creating that perfect texture contrast between creamy sauce and slightly crisp edges
  • It feeds a crowd elegantly but feels just as special for a quiet Sunday dinner with leftovers that reheat beautifully
02 -
  • Thin, even potato slices are non-negotiable, so a mandoline is worth pulling out unless your knife skills are exceptional
  • The resting period is not optional, as the sauce needs those minutes to set slightly or you will end up with a runny mess when you serve
03 -
  • Warm your milk and cream slightly before adding to the roux to help prevent lumps and speed up thickening
  • Grating your own cheese makes a huge difference in how smoothly it melts compared to pre-shredded
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