Ham and Potato Bake (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main ingredients

01 - Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, 2 pounds (915g)
02 - Ham, cut into cubes, 2 cups (300g)
03 - White cheddar cheese, shredded, 1½ cups (150g), reserve some for later
04 - Butter (unsalted), 3 tablespoons (43g)
05 - Chopped yellow onion, 3/4 cup (100g)
06 - Garlic cloves, minced, 3
07 - Flour (all-purpose), 3 tablespoons (24g)
08 - Milk (whole), 2 cups (480ml)

→ Seasonings

09 - Ground mustard, 1/2 teaspoon
10 - Salt, 3/4 teaspoon
11 - Black pepper, freshly ground, 1/2 teaspoon
12 - Paprika (smoked), 1/2 teaspoon
13 - Parsley, dried, 1 teaspoon (or 2 teaspoons fresh)

→ Optional garnishes

14 - Chopped green onions
15 - Chives
16 - Fresh parsley, finely chopped
17 - Hot sauce, as desired

# Instructions:

01 - Slice the potatoes into chunks about 3/4-inch big, peeling them first. You’ll end up with 6 cups. Give them a quick boil for 5-6 minutes, just enough to soften slightly but not cooking them all the way. Drain and set them aside.
02 - Take a greased 9x13-inch dish and mix together the potato pieces, cubed ham, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Toss lightly so everything is combined, then leave it for now.
03 - In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Mix in the onions and garlic, cooking until the onions are tender and translucent, about 3 minutes.
04 - Mix in flour and seasonings with the onions and garlic. Stir well and lower the heat to medium-low. Slowly pour in the milk while stirring continuously. Let it cook for 3-5 minutes until it thickens like gravy. Taste and tweak the flavors if you’d like.
05 - Gently pour the warm sauce over the potato mixture in your dish. Toss them together to coat evenly. Cover and bake in a 375°F oven for 30 minutes. Remove the cover, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, and bake another 5-10 minutes until bubbly and melted.
06 - Top with fresh herbs or a bit of hot sauce if you like. Let it sit for a bit, then scoop and serve.

# Notes:

01 - Great for prepping ahead of time—assemble up to a day early!
02 - Swap the ham for sausage or crumbled bacon if you'd prefer.
03 - Try different cheeses like gruyere, pepper jack, or smoked gouda.
04 - Leftovers taste great and keep fresh in the fridge for up to a week.