This Driftwood-Grilled Cheddar & Ham Potato Casserole brings the cozy, smoky flavors of a campfire right to your dinner table. Layers of tender, thinly sliced potatoes mingle perfectly with savory, diced ham and a rich blend of sharp cheddar and creamy mozzarella cheeses.
Finished with a golden bubbly crust bubbling under a hint of smoked paprika and thyme, this casserole is comforting, savory, and perfect for family dinners or special occasions. It’s a rustic dish that fills the kitchen with mouthwatering aromas and satisfies every craving for warm comfort food.
- Smoky, savory flavors echoing driftwood grilling for a unique twist on classic potato casseroles.
- Multi-layered textures with tender potatoes, hearty ham, and melty cheese for every bite.
- Easy to prepare ahead and bake when ready, perfect for stress-free meals.
- Versatile dish served as a main or hearty side to complement many meals.
Ingredients
- Potatoes (900 g / ~2 lb): Thinly sliced to create tender, even layers that absorb the creamy sauce beautifully.
- Diced cooked ham (1½ cups): Adds savory, salty richness and protein to balance the dish.
- Butter (2 tablespoons): Used to sauté aromatics and enrich the cream sauce with a silky smooth base.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Provides subtle pungency and depth when cooked in butter and cream.
- Onion (1 small, finely chopped): Adds sweetness and texture to the cream sauce layer.
- Heavy cream (1 cup): Creates a luxuriously rich and velvety sauce binding the casserole ingredients.
- Milk (½ cup): Lightens the sauce slightly for balanced creaminess and smooth consistency.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances natural flavors throughout the dish for perfect seasoning.
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon): Adds mild heat and rounds out the seasoning profile.
- Smoked paprika (½ teaspoon): Infuses the casserole with distinctive smoky warmth reminiscent of driftwood grilling.
- Dried thyme (½ teaspoon): Brings an earthy herbal note that complements the ham and cheese beautifully.
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups): Gives the casserole its bold, melty, golden cheesy crust and sharp flavor.
- Shredded mozzarella (½ cup, optional): Adds extra gooey melt and creamy texture for cheese lovers.
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley: Brightens the finished dish with fresh color and mild herbal freshness.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Casserole Dish
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Begin by heating your oven to 190 °C (375 °F). Buttering the casserole dish beforehand prevents sticking and adds subtle richness to the crust edges during baking, ensuring a beautiful presentation.
- Build the Cream Sauce Base
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In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter until foaming. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté gently for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent, which builds a sweet aroma and flavor. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its fragrance without burning. Pour in heavy cream and milk, simmering gently for 3-4 minutes without boiling hard, allowing the seasonings of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme to meld into a smooth, flavorful sauce that will envelop the potato layers.
- Layer Potatoes, Ham, and Sauce
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Arrange half of the thin potato slices evenly at the bottom of the casserole dish, creating a tender base. Sprinkle over half of the diced ham for savory bursts throughout. Carefully pour half of the prepared creamy sauce over this layer to ensure moisture and flavor. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, ham, and sauce, building rich layers that will bake into one harmonious dish.
- Cover and Bake Initially
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Loosely cover the casserole with foil to trap steam and allow the potatoes to cook through gently without drying out. Bake covered for 40 minutes, enough time for the potato layers to become tender and infused with the smoky cream sauce flavors.
- Top with Cheese and Final Bake
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Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar and optional mozzarella cheeses over the top layer. Return the dish uncovered to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes. This final bake melts the cheese into a bubbly, golden crust that adds irresistible texture and flavor.
- Rest Before Serving
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Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes once out of the oven. This resting period helps the sauce thicken slightly and makes the casserole easier to portion. It also allows the flavors to settle beautifully for the perfect comforting bite.
- Serve and Enjoy
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Serve this driftwood-grilled inspired potato casserole hot. It works wonderfully as a main dish or a hearty side, pairing deliciously with crisp green salads, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.
- For an extra smoky flavor, add a drop of liquid smoke or use smoked cheddar cheese instead of regular cheddar.
- If you prefer an ultra-creamy texture, mixing in some cream cheese into the sauce enhances richness.
- To add crunch, sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs on top before the final bake for a delightful contrast.
- This casserole can be assembled in advance and refrigerated; simply bake it fresh when ready for convenience.
Storage Tips
Store leftover casserole covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to retain creaminess and melted cheese texture.
Serving Suggestions
This cheesy ham potato casserole pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad for freshness or alongside grilled chicken and roasted vegetables to round out a nutritious meal. It also complements smoky barbecue dishes or winter comfort food menus.
- Use evenly sliced potatoes to ensure consistent cooking and layering for perfect texture throughout the casserole.
- Allow the cream sauce to gently simmer but not boil to prevent curdling and keep a silky smooth consistency.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking helps the sauce thicken and the flavors mature, improving the overall taste and sliceability.
- For richer flavor, lightly sauté the diced ham before layering to caramelize and deepen its savory notes.
FAQs
- Can I use other types of cheese?
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Yes, you can substitute or add smoked gouda, Monterey Jack, or Gruyere for different melting qualities and flavors, but sharp cheddar provides the classic taste.
- Can this casserole be made gluten-free?
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Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you confirm the ham and seasonings have no added gluten-containing ingredients.
- How thin should the potato slices be?
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Potato slices should be about 2-3 mm thick to ensure they cook through evenly while baking and develop a tender texture.
- Can I freeze this casserole?
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Yes, you can freeze the assembled casserole before baking. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed for fresh, comforting meals later.
- What can I serve with this dish?
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It pairs well with light salads, steamed or roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and even fresh bread to balance the richness.
- Is it better to use fresh or leftover ham?
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Both work well. Fresh cooked ham adds tenderness and flavor, while leftover ham is a great way to reduce food waste and infuse smoky notes.
Driftwood-Grilled Cheddar Ham Casserole
Equipment
- 1 casserole dish medium size, buttered
- 1 saucepan for cream sauce
- 1 oven preheated to 375 °F
Ingredients
- 2 lb potatoes thinly sliced (about 900 g)
- 1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese optional
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F (190 °C) and butter a medium casserole dish.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until soft.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in heavy cream and milk. Season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes without boiling hard.
- Layer half of the sliced potatoes evenly in the casserole dish.
- Sprinkle half of the diced ham over the potatoes.
- Pour half of the cream sauce evenly over the ham and potatoes.
- Repeat the layering with remaining potatoes, ham, and sauce.
- Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella on top.
- Return to oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve hot as a main dish or hearty side, ideal with a green salad, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Add liquid smoke or smoked cheddar for a deeper smoky flavor.
- Mix in cream cheese with the sauce for extra creaminess.
- For crunch, top with buttered breadcrumbs before baking.
- Assemble ahead, refrigerate, and bake when ready for convenience.
