The Best Ina Garten Scalloped Potatoes And Ham Recipe Ever

Scalloped potatoes and ham represent the ultimate comfort food that transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, mouth-watering masterpiece.

Rich layers of tender potatoes intertwine with savory ham, creating a delightful culinary experience that warms both stomach and soul.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with robust flavors, promising a satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Dairy and starch combine in perfect harmony, elevating this classic dish beyond mere sustenance.

Home cooks appreciate how such basic components can develop into something truly spectacular with careful preparation.

Why Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Satisfy

• Comfort Food Champion: This scalloped potatoes and ham dish delivers pure comfort with its creamy, cheesy layers that wrap you in warmth like a cozy blanket, perfect for chilly evenings or family gatherings.
• Smart Layering Magic: The strategic method of alternating potatoes, ham, and sauce creates an incredible flavor explosion in every single bite, ensuring maximum taste distribution and a harmonious blend of ingredients.
• Time-Efficient Cooking: With just about 1.5 hours total cooking and preparation time, this recipe offers a delicious meal that looks impressive but doesn't demand hours of complicated kitchen work, making it ideal for busy home cooks who want something special without stress.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable with optional cheese topping and parsley garnish, this dish welcomes personal touches while maintaining its classic, hearty appeal that satisfies different tastes and preferences.

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes

Main Ingredients:

• Russet Potatoes: Starchy potatoes that create a creamy and tender texture in the dish, best when thinly sliced for even cooking.

• Ham: Adds savory flavor and protein, preferably fully cooked and diced for easy distribution throughout the dish.

• Whole Milk: Provides rich and creamy base for the sauce, full-fat version ensures maximum smoothness.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps create a smooth roux and adds richness to the sauce, allows better control of salt content.
• Gruyère Cheese: Optional topping that brings nutty and sharp flavor, melts beautifully on top of the dish.

Secondary Ingredients:

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the dish, use kosher salt for better distribution.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth to the overall taste.
• Fresh Thyme: Provides earthy and aromatic herb notes, fresh is preferable to dried.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth consistency.
• Chicken Broth: Adds extra depth of flavor to the sauce, low-sodium version recommended.

• Fresh Parsley: Optional bright green garnish that adds fresh visual appeal and mild herb flavor.

Cooking Up Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Baking Dish

Warm the oven to 350°F. Generously coat a large baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Onions

In a skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add diced onions and cook until they become soft and translucent.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Roux

Sprinkle herbs and flour into the onion mixture. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes to develop a rich, golden base.

Step 4: Craft Creamy Sauce

Gradually pour milk into the pan, whisking constantly to create a smooth, velvety sauce. Reduce heat and continue stirring.

Step 5: Season And Thicken Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Salt
• Pepper

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil for one minute, allowing it to thicken nicely.

Step 6: Layer Casserole Ingredients

• Sliced potatoes
• Diced ham
• Creamy sauce

Repeat the layering process, ensuring the final layer is covered with sauce.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 50 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 25-35 minutes until potatoes are tender and top is golden brown.

Optional: Sprinkle shredded cheese during the final 15 minutes of baking for extra richness.

Step 8: Rest And Serve

Allow the casserole to rest for 15 minutes. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Top Tips for Creamy Scalloped Potatoes à la Ina

• Slice Like a Pro: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to cut potatoes into perfectly even, thin slices that cook uniformly and look gorgeous on the plate.
• Caramelize Onions Gently: Cook onions over low heat to develop a sweet, rich flavor without burning, creating a delicious base for the creamy sauce.
• Whisk Your Way to Smooth Sauce: Pour milk slowly into the roux while continuously whisking to guarantee a silky, lump-free sauce that coats the potatoes beautifully.
• Prevent Sauce Scorching: Keep stirring the sauce constantly to stop it from sticking or burning, ensuring a creamy, luxurious texture throughout the dish.
• Ham Selection Matters: Choose a high-quality, smoky ham that complements the potatoes and adds depth of flavor to this classic comfort food casserole.

Storing Scalloped Potatoes the Ina Garten Way

• Vacuum Seal Method: Extract air completely from a heavy-duty freezer bag using a vacuum sealer. Protect scalloped potatoes and ham from freezer burn by removing oxygen and creating an airtight environment. Helps maintain flavor and texture for up to 4 months.
• Individual Portion Method: Divide leftovers into single-serving portions before storing. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Enables easy reheating and prevents waste by thawing only what you need.
• Glass Container Method: Transfer cooled scalloped potatoes and ham into glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Prevent moisture loss and maintain food quality by using clear containers that allow easy visual inspection. Refrigerate for maximum freshness up to 4 days and freeze for long-term storage.

Savory Swaps for Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes

• Smoky Bacon Potato Casserole: Replace ham with crispy bacon pieces, adding a rich, smoky flavor that complements the creamy potato layers. Sprinkle extra crumbled bacon on top before serving for added crunch.
• Vegetarian Herb Garden Potatoes: Swap ham with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Add a blend of fresh herbs such as rosemary and oregano to enhance the vegetable medley's depth.
• Spicy Southwestern Potato Bake: Incorporate diced green chiles, jalapeños, and swap some milk with cream for extra richness. Top with pepper jack cheese and garnish with chopped cilantro for a zesty kick.
• Greek-Inspired Potato Gratin: Use feta cheese instead of regular cheese, add kalamata olives with the ham, and sprinkle dried oregano throughout the layers. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil before serving for authentic Mediterranean flair.

Ending on a Creamy Note: Ina Garten’s Scalloped Potatoes

Ina Garten’s scalloped potatoes and ham embody comfort cuisine with elegance.

Creamy layers meld harmonious flavors between delicate potato slices and savory ham.

Sophisticated yet nostalgic, this classic dish promises memorable dining experiences.

Garten’s culinary expertise shines through each carefully constructed layer.

Comfort meets gourmet in this hearty recipe that celebrates home cooking.

Soul-warming goodness awaits – dive into this delightful dish, share with friends, spread the joy, and let taste buds dance with delight!