Ham and Cheese Mashed Potatoes
The way I dress up leftover ham and mashed potatoes is a surefire success in my house! Cheddar cheese and cream add richness to this casserole while garlic seasons it nicely. It's something my family looks forward to having on a regular basis.
The way I dress up leftover ham and mashed potatoes is a surefire success in my house! Cheddar cheese and cream add richness to this casserole while garlic seasons it nicely. It's something my family looks forward to having on a regular basis.
- Carbohydrate 18.825 g
- Cholesterol 22.65 mg
- Fat 6.1485 g
- Fiber 1.575 g
- Protein 2.3235 g
- Saturated Fat 3.72045 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -6 serving (120g)
- Sodium 431.806875 mg
- Sugar 17.25 g
- Trans Fat 0.452099999999999 g
- Calories 139 calories
Step-by-step
- In a large bowl, combine potatoes and garlic salt. Spread into a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with ham. Fold cheese into whipped cream; spoon over ham.
- Bake, uncovered, at 450degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Standard mashed potatoes often end up relegated to simple reheating, but layering them with cured pork and dairy creates an entirely different dish. Baking potato casseroles requires attention to specific textural transitions rather than internal temperatures, transforming basic starches into a rich, structured side. Utilizing chilled remnants from previous meals prevents food waste while capitalizing on starches that have already undergone retrogradation, making them firmer and easier to shape in the baking dish.
- Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks before gently folding in the shredded cheddar; this incorporates trapped air that lightens the dairy layer as it bakes at 450 degrees.
- Watch for deep golden brown edges and bubbling cheese to signal completion, which typically occurs right at the 15-minute mark in a hot oven.
- Grease the 1.5-quart baking dish thoroughly with butter or oil to prevent the bottom layer of potatoes from sticking and burning before the top achieves proper coloration.
- Dice the fully cooked ham into uniform pieces no larger than one-half inch to ensure even distribution and prevent heavy pockets that weigh down the potato base.
Mastering high-heat baking relies entirely on visual cues rather than arbitrary timers. Pull the dish from the oven the moment the cheese topping achieves a toasted color and active bubbling subsides.
