Mother’s Ham Casserole

Total Time

Prep: 35 min. Bake: 25 min.

Makes

6 servings

Updated: Aug. 17, 2023
This ham casserole recipe was one of my mother's favorite dishes and it always brings back fond memories of her when I prepare it. It's a terrific use of leftover ham from a holiday dinner. —Linda Childers, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cubed peeled potatoes
  • 1 large carrot, sliced
  • 2 celery ribs, chopped
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green pepper
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped onion
  • 7 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 cups 2% milk
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a saucepan, bring the potatoes, carrot, celery and water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain.
  2. In a large skillet, saute ham, green pepper and onion in 3 tablespoons butter until tender. Add the potato mixture. Transfer to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish.
  3. In a large saucepan, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; add cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
  4. Pour over ham mixture. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake until heated through, 25-30 minutes.

Mother’s Ham Casserole Tips

What can you add to make this ham casserole recipe your own?

Start with the veggies already called for in the recipe—and increase one or more of them to stretch the dish while boosting nutrition. Other possibilities include sauteed poblano, red or orange peppers, cooked cauliflower, broccoli or pearl onions, and chopped seeded tomato. Get creative with the topping: Use crushed Ritz crackers, saltines, French-fried onions, or sliced almonds. If you love amazing Tex-Mex recipes (and who doesn’t), add chopped green chiles, sub pepper jack cheese for cheddar, and top the casserole with crushed tortilla chips.

What pairs well with ham casserole?

Choose green veggies for the win! Steamed broccoli and spinach are simple, healthy choices, or try cooking kale. And, you can pair a veggie-rich side salad with just about any entree.

How long will ham casserole last?

Refrigerate the casserole, covered, for up to 3 days. Although potatoes aren’t very good freezers (their high water content leads to a mushy texture after freezing), they’re only a bit player in this dish. So feel free to freeze this casserole for up to 3 months. Individually frozen servings make for easy meals in the future. Here’s our ultimate guide to freezing food.

Research contributed by Christine Rukavena, Taste of Home Book Editor
Soft Bread Crumbs
To make soft bread crumbs, tear bread into pieces and place in a food processor or blender. Cover and pulse until crumbs form. One slice of bread yields 1/2 to 3/4 cup crumbs.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 360 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1157mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein.