Meet your new favorite comfort food:
A Savory Brunch Recipe (That Isn’t Eggs)
Cheesy, garlicky, hearty ham and potato casserole. Couldn’t you just dive right in? The flavors and textures are reminiscent of tartiflette, a creamy potato and bacon casserole from the French Alps. This is satisfying fare that’s perfect for a snow day—but you don’t have to be mountainside to enjoy it! 😉 With all the sweets around this time of year, a savory recipe is extra welcome. You know I love a good make-ahead breakfast casserole or easy frittata when hosting for the holidays, but not everyone likes or can have eggs, so I set out to create an eggless casserole that’s just as delicious and deserving of a prime spot on the brunch table. It’s also a wonderful choice in the spring when planning your Easter brunch recipes, or in the fall when looking for delicious fall dinner recipes.
Here’s Why You’ll Love This Ham & Potato Casserole
As flavorful as ham and cheese strata, but with potatoes instead of bread Egg-free alternative to breakfast casserole & quiche As welcome for brunch as it is for dinner Creamy, cheesy gravy-like sauce comes together easily on the stove A great way to use up leftover cooked ham Make-ahead friendly Satisfying, cold-weather comfort food
Key Ingredients You Need
Prep the Potatoes First: Peel, Cut, Boil
You need to par-boil the potatoes for this casserole. Peel and chop the potatoes, then boil for just a few minutes, to give them a head start on softening. Gather your sauce ingredients in the meantime.
Make a Quick & Creamy Homemade Sauce
Stir it all together with the creamy sauce (just toss it all right in the greased baking pan). Any 3–4-quart baking dish works, such as a 9×13-inch pan. I use a round 4-quart baking dish. Now all you have to do is combine everything, and bake. Here’s the pre-cooked and drained potatoes, ham, and cheese: Bake the casserole covered, and then when it’s almost done, sprinkle with cheese and return to the oven uncovered. (What’s a casserole without some cheese on top?!) You know it’s ready when the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbling all over.
You Can Prep It Ahead
Here’s What to Serve With Ham & Potato Casserole
If serving this casserole for brunch, it nestles nicely alongside platters of fresh fruit, eggs, bacon or sausage, smoked salmon, slow cooker cinnamon rolls, or whole wheat blueberry pancakes. (None of which require the oven!) It would also be fantastic alongside a Dutch baby piled high with all your favorite sweet toppings. To make it ahead, assemble the casserole, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove it from the refrigerator, allow it to come up to room temperature for about 30 minutes, and then bake as directed; you may need to add an extra few minutes to the bake time. I added these instructions to the printable recipe card below. Flavor tip: add a drizzle of hot sauce on top before serving! If this will be a main dish for dinner, serve this comforting casserole with some green sides like a fresh salad, steamed green beans, or asparagus. Or make it a side dish to accompany a lighter main, like crab cakes, seared scallops, or baked lemon herb salmon. Lots of ways to enjoy this versatile dish!
