Cheesy Leftover Ham and Mashed Potato Casserole: Comfort Food Reinvented
Are you staring down a fridge full of leftover holiday ham and a mountain of mashed potatoes? Don’t let them go to waste! Transform those remnants of a delicious feast into a comforting and satisfying casserole that will have everyone asking for seconds. This Cheesy Leftover Ham and Mashed Potato Casserole is the perfect way to reinvent your leftovers into a brand new, crowd-pleasing meal.
This recipe is incredibly versatile and forgiving, making it ideal for busy weeknights or lazy weekend dinners. Feel free to customize it with your favorite cheeses, vegetables, and seasonings to create a dish that perfectly suits your taste. Let’s dive in!
Why This Casserole Works
* **Reduces Food Waste:** Turns leftovers into a delicious and satisfying meal.
* **Comfort Food Classic:** Combines familiar flavors and textures for ultimate comfort.
* **Easy to Customize:** Adaptable to your preferences and available ingredients.
* **Simple to Make:** Requires minimal effort and readily available ingredients.
* **Family-Friendly:** A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Leftover Cooked Ham:** About 2-3 cups, diced. The amount can be adjusted to your liking.
* **Leftover Mashed Potatoes:** About 4-5 cups. Homemade or store-bought works fine.
* **Shredded Cheese:** 2 cups. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or a blend. Use your favorite!
* **Butter:** 2 tablespoons.
* **All-Purpose Flour:** 2 tablespoons.
* **Milk:** 1 ½ cups.
* **Dijon Mustard:** 1 teaspoon (optional, but adds a nice tang).
* **Onion:** ½ medium, diced.
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves, minced.
* **Frozen Peas or Mixed Vegetables:** 1 cup (optional, for added nutrients).
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.
* **Optional Toppings:** Breadcrumbs, paprika, chopped fresh parsley.
Equipment
* **9×13 inch Baking Dish:** The standard size for casseroles.
* **Large Skillet or Saucepan:** For making the cheese sauce.
* **Mixing Bowls:** For combining ingredients.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measurements.
* **Knife and Cutting Board:** For preparing the vegetables and ham.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a detailed guide to creating your delicious Cheesy Leftover Ham and Mashed Potato Casserole:
**1. Prepare the Cheese Sauce:**
* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
* In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
* Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
* Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. This creates a roux that will thicken the sauce.
* Slowly whisk in the milk, making sure to break up any lumps that may form. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth.
* Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly. This should take about 3-5 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
* Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the Dijon mustard (if using), salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
* Add 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheese to the sauce and stir until melted and smooth. Reserve the remaining ½ cup of cheese for topping the casserole.
**2. Assemble the Casserole:**
* In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced leftover ham, mashed potatoes, and frozen peas or mixed vegetables (if using).
* Pour the cheese sauce over the ham and potato mixture and stir gently to combine everything evenly. Make sure all the ingredients are well coated with the cheese sauce.
* Pour the mixture into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
**3. Bake the Casserole:**
* Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese over the top of the casserole.
* If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the cheese for added texture.
* You can also sprinkle a little paprika for a touch of color and flavor.
* Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is lightly golden brown.
**4. Rest and Serve:**
* Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly and makes it easier to serve.
* Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
* Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for Success
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking can dry out the casserole. Bake just until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
* **Adjust the Cheese Sauce:** If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk to thin it out. If it’s too thin, cook it for a few more minutes until it thickens.
* **Use High-Quality Cheese:** Using good quality cheese will make a big difference in the flavor of the casserole. Sharp cheddar, Gruyere, or a blend of cheeses are all great choices.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:** Make sure to use a baking dish that is large enough to hold all of the ingredients. Overcrowding the pan can prevent the casserole from cooking evenly.
* **Add Extra Flavor:** Consider adding other seasonings to the cheese sauce, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or smoked paprika. You can also add chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary.
* **Make it Ahead:** You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
* **Freeze for Later:** Baked (cooled) or unbaked casserole can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking or reheating. Cover the casserole with foil during the last half of the baking time to prevent the top from browning too much. To reheat a previously baked frozen casserole, thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20-30 minutes.
Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is a fantastic starting point, but feel free to experiment with different ingredients to create your own unique version:
* **Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack, mozzarella, or provolone. A combination of cheeses can add complexity to the flavor.
* **Vegetables:** Add other vegetables to the casserole, such as broccoli florets, chopped bell peppers, or sliced mushrooms. Sauté the vegetables before adding them to the casserole to soften them.
* **Meat:** Instead of ham, you can use other cooked meats, such as shredded chicken, ground beef, or sausage.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for a little heat.
* **Cream of Soup:** For a quicker cheese sauce, substitute the butter, flour, and milk with a can of cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, or cream of celery soup. This simplifies the sauce-making process.
* **Breadcrumbs:** Use different types of breadcrumbs, such as panko breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs, for a different texture and flavor.
* **Potatoes:** While leftover mashed potatoes are ideal, you can also use diced roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes for a different twist.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free flour for the cheese sauce and gluten-free breadcrumbs for the topping.
* **Herbs:** Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives into the mashed potatoes or cheese sauce for an aromatic boost.
Serving Suggestions
This Cheesy Leftover Ham and Mashed Potato Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side dish or two to round out the meal:
* **Green Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole.
* **Steamed Vegetables:** Steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus are healthy and delicious side dishes.
* **Dinner Rolls:** Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread are perfect for soaking up the cheesy sauce.
* **Cranberry Sauce:** If you’re serving this casserole around the holidays, cranberry sauce is a traditional and complementary side dish.
* **Coleslaw:** A creamy coleslaw adds a tangy and crunchy element to the meal.
Nutrition Information (approximate, per serving)
* Calories: 400-500
* Protein: 25-30g
* Fat: 20-25g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g
*Note: Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*
Storing Leftovers
* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover Cheesy Ham and Mashed Potato Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions until warmed. Covering with foil when reheating in the oven helps prevent the top from drying out.
Conclusion
This Cheesy Leftover Ham and Mashed Potato Casserole is a fantastic way to transform holiday leftovers into a comforting and satisfying meal. It’s easy to make, customizable to your preferences, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. So, the next time you find yourself with leftover ham and mashed potatoes, don’t hesitate to whip up this delicious casserole! Enjoy!