Simple Casserole Recipe for Busy Nights

This easy ham and potato casserole is a warm, satisfying, and delicious one-pan meal that you’ll want to serve often. I like the fact that you can make it with leftover ham because it saves money and prevents wasting food. It’s also a delicious and comforting weeknight dinner!

We’re all about flavor in our house, and this casserole delivers plenty! It’s so good that we look forward to having leftovers the next day for lunch.

If you’re cooking for your family, be sure to double the recipe so everyone can enjoy some later. Or if you’re making it for guests, you’ll want to have enough for seconds.

Ingredients

Chances are, you have some of these ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator. However, if you don’t, you can improvise.

Here are the things I used:

• Cubed cooked ham (I purchased a ham steak and cut it into bite-sized pieces.)
• Diced potatoes (I used frozen diced potatoes for hash browns.)
• Diced onion (I used frozen chopped onions, but you can use fresh.)
• Diced bell pepper (Again, I used frozen diced bell peppers.)
• Milk (any kind of milk you have on hand)
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Crushed plain potato chips (optional)
• Shredded cheddar cheese (optional and in addition to the cheese listed above)

If you don’t have every single thing on the ingredients list, don’t let that stop you from making it. One of the things I love about this casserole is that you can vary some of the ingredients and still come out with a delicious dish.

The only 2 things required are the ham and potatoes. Of course, you’ll need milk and cheese, but you can use any type of milk or cheese you like.

I placed a printable recipe card at the end of this post for your convenience. 

Directions

In addition to the ingredients, you need nonstick cooking spray (avocado oil spray) for easy cleanup, a 2-quart casserole dish, a couple of mixing bowls, and a spoon or spatula to stir everything.

Before you begin assembling the ingredients, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2-quart with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the ham, potatoes, onion, bell pepper, and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Stir it all together until mixed.

Pour the mixture into the baking dish. Next, add salt and pepper.

In a smaller bowl, combine the milk and cornstarch. Whisk until the cornstarch dissolves.

This is called a slurry. Pour the slurry over the ham mixture in the baking dish.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove it from the oven.

If you want a cheesy, crunchy topping, sprinkle the crushed potato chips and additional shredded cheese over the top.

Turn the oven up to 400 degrees F. Return the casserole to the oven for about 15 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. If your oven tends to cook hot, check on it after 10 minutes. That’s what I have to do.

A Few Common Questions

Although this is an easy meal to prepare, you may have some questions.

Can You Freeze this Meal?

Yes, you can freeze it. After it cools to room temperature, transfer what is remaining to a smaller, freezer-safe, airtight container. It should be good for up to two months.

Is This Casserole Gluten-Free?

If you prepare it according to the recipe here, yes, it is gluten-free.

Can This Recipe be Doubled?

Yes, you can double the recipe, simply by doubling all of the ingredients. Just make sure you use a bigger baking pan. I do this when I’m serving guests at my home or taking it to a potluck.

More Casserole Recipes

Since casseroles save time in the kitchen, I have quite a few recipes that we enjoy. They’re all delicious, and many of them give you all the nutrition you need in one dish.

Here are some of our favorites:

• Savory Beef and Rice – Since we always have a few packs of ground beef in the freezer and rice in the pantry, this is one of my go-to comfort meals.
• Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole – This delicious dinner satisfies the hunger of a slew of hungry people. So if you have a big family or dinner guests, you can feel good about offering this one.
• Shepherd’s Pie – The American version of shepherd’s pie is different from the original version made with lamb and without cheese. We love it with ground beef or turkey and plenty of gooey cheese on top.
• Meatless Stuffed Manicotti – This is a delicious and satisfying dish for anyone who wants to cut back on meat. However, if you’re a meat lover, you can certainly adjust the recipe to suit your taste!
• Italian Beef and Cabbage Casserole – With only 5 ingredients, this one-pan meal keeps it simple. This casserole is perfect for anyone wanting to cut back on carbs without sacrificing flavor!

Easy Comfort Food

I love having a comforting dinner at the end of a busy day, and this ham and potato casserole delivers just that. It’s delicious, filling, and oh-so easy!

Please feel free to share!