Ham and Potato Casserole
Our easy Ham and Potato Casserole is perfect for a delicious, filling, and easy-to-prepare weeknight dinner.
We combine diced ham, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheese, and seasonings, top it with cheese, and bake it until golden brown and bubbly.
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Ham and Potato Casserole Highlights
- Only 15 minutes of preparation
- Rich and Creamy
- Easy to Customize
- Great for feeding a crowd
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
DICED HAM – Diced ham adds a savory flavor and protein to this potato and ham casserole. It also provides a meaty texture that complements the creamy potatoes and cheese. This is a great recipe. If you have leftover ham, you can substitute the hearty ham with cooked and diced chicken, turkey, chunks of ham steak, cooked pork chops, or even cooked and crumbled sausage for a different flavor profile.
CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP – Cream of chicken soup serves as the creamy base for the casserole and adds richness and flavor to it. It also helps bind the ingredients together and contributes to its smooth texture. If you like, you can use cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup instead for a slightly different flavor.
SOUR CREAM – Sour cream adds tanginess and creaminess to this ham and potatoes casserole, enhancing its overall richness. Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream.
SALT AND PEPPER – Salt and pepper are essential for seasoning this casserole, and they enhance the flavors of the other ingredients. Adjust the amount of salt and pepper to taste. Keeping in mind that ham, cream of chicken soup, and ranch dressing mix can both be salty, so I recommend starting with a small amount and adding more if needed.
SHREDDED CHEESE – Shredded cheese adds gooeyness, flavor, and richness to the casserole. Cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend of cheeses work well in this recipe. For unique flavor combinations, you can also experiment with cheese varieties like Swiss or Monterey Jack. For this recipe, I used mild cheddar cheese.
CHOPPED GREEN ONIONS – Chopped green onions provide a fresh and slightly sharp flavor to the casserole. They also add color and visual appeal. If you don’t have green onions, you can use onion powder, finely chopped yellow onion, white onions, or leave them out altogether.
RANCH DRESSING MIX – The ranch dressing mix adds herby and savory flavors to this comforting casserole. If you don’t have a ranch dressing mix, you can use a combination of dried herbs such as parsley, dill, garlic powder, and onion powder for a similar flavor.
BACON BITS – Bacon bits provide a crunchy and smoky flavor to this cheesy casserole. They also elevate the look of the casserole. You can substitute bacon bits with bread crumbs or cooked and crumbled bacon, or omit the bacon bits.
OLIVE OIL – Olive oil is used to prevent sticking. You can substitute melted butter or cooking spray for olive oil.
FROZEN DICED POTATOES: Frozen diced potatoes are a convenient and time-saving option for this casserole. You can substitute fresh diced potatoes, hash browns, or even thinly sliced potatoes for a different texture.
How To Make Ham and Potato Casserole
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Mix ham, potatoes, soup, sour cream, half the cheese, green onions, and ranch mix. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer to a 9×13 casserole dish and drizzle with remaining cheese and bacon bits.
- Bake at 375º Fahrenheit for 40-45 minutes until golden and bubbly.
More Casserole Recipes
Planning and Leftovers
STORE – Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, ensuring freshness for up to 3 days.
FREEZE – If you’ve got more than you can eat within a few days, portion the casserole into freezer-safe containers for a quick and easy meal down the road.
REHEAT – Warm up the casserole in the oven or microwave, adding a splash of milk or water to keep it moist and creamy.
Recipe Success Tips
SEASON TO TASTE – Remember, the ham and bacon already pack a salty punch, so go easy on the salt and adjust according to your preference.
CHEESE VARIETIES – Don’t shy away from experimenting with different types of cheese to find your family’s favorite combination.
TOPPING OPTIONS – The bacon bits add a nice crunch, but feel free to get creative with breadcrumbs or even a sprinkle of paprika for a smoky touch.
Commonly Asked Questions
What Is the best cheese for this recipe?
White cheddar cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, or Swiss cheese, and even Gouda work well for this cheesy ham and potato casserole, but you can also use Colby Jack or any other melty cheese you like.
Can I add green beans or other vegetables to the casserole?
Absolutely! Adding green beans, green peppers, or other vegetables can enhance the look and flavor of this ham and cheese potato casserole.
How do I know when the casserole Is done baking?
The casserole is done baking when the cheese melts, is bubbly, and the potatoes are fork-tender. A fully baked casserole typically has an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F. Use a food thermometer to check for doneness.
Can I use different types of potatoes in the Casserole?
Yes, you can use different types of potatoes such as hash browns, peeled and diced russet potatoes, red potatoes, or Yukon Gold potatoes.
Can I make this Ham and Potato Casserole recipe in a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot?
Though this recipe is designed for baking in the oven, you can adapt it for a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
More Easy and Delicious Casserole Recipes
Ham and Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- olive oil to brush the pan
- 1 pound ham diced
- 1 10.5-ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups Cheddar cheese shredded, divided
- ⅓ cup green onions chopped
- 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix
- bacon bits for topping
- 1 28-ounce bag frozen diced potatoes thawed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375° Fahrenheit, then brush a casserole dish with olive oil.
- Combine the thawed diced potatoes, savory ham, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, and ranch dressing mix in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then mix until well combined.
- Spread the potato mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish and top it with the remaining cheese and a sprinkle of bacon.
- Bake the casserole for 40-45 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and the mixture is bubbly.
Equipment
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.
Absolutely love and crave this will make again and again. A comfort food for me. I sliced potatoes w mandolin and cut them in half not a fan of cubed. The ranch mix great too! Topped w extra bacon green onions so Yumm.
YUM!!! I had all the ingredients except the frozen diced potatoes, so I just chopped up a few russet potatoes and followed the directions as written. This was so good, and definitely will be made again. Thank you
Great casserole for meat and potato lovers! I took the suggestion of swapping out ham for leftover steak and cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom soup. I also added onion and garlic powder to thawed shredded hash browns instead of cubed potatoes because that’s what I had. Everyone loved it and went back for seconds!