This is perfect to feed a large crowd. Just double (or triple) the ingredients. As a side dish serve Simple Creamy, Cheesy Sauteed Corn.
You will need:
1 lb. ham
2.5 lbs. Russet potatoes, peeled
1 medium onion
1 TBSP Never Enough Thyme
1 tsp hot sauce (like Tabasco)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Pepper to taste
3/4 C chicken broth
3/4 C heavy cream
1 Cream of Chicken Soup
1 C shredded Colby Jack (or other favorite cheese) plus more for topping
Directions:
Step 1: Prep ham and potatoes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9" x 13" baking dish. Dice the ham and potatoes into 1/2" cubes, place in large mixing bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Make the cheesy sauce: Dice onion and sauté over medium-high heat in olive oil until translucent. Lower heat to medium-low and add the chicken broth, cream soup, and heavy cream. Stir until combined. Next add the Never Enough Thyme, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and pepper. Contine stirring and cooking until the sauce simmers and starts to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese.
Step 3: Pour the sauce over the ham and potatoes and mix everything until it's evenly coated, then pour into the prepared baking dish. Add additional cheese to the top if desired. Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes, remove foil (save for later) and return to the oven for another 30 - 40 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when poked with a fork.
Step 4: When the potatoes are cooked through, turn the oven to broil and cook another 10 minutes for a golden, crispy top. Watch carefully so as not to burn.
Step 5: Remove from the oven, lightly re-tent with foil, and allow to rest for 10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
Notes: You can use leftover ham of any kind or another type of boneless pork, such as tenderloin. You can also use your favorite pork or chicken sausage sliced or cubed.
You can use any type of potato, but Russets hold up very well without getting mushy and breaking apart.
Feel free to add more hot sauce if you like it a little spicier.
Recipe Credit: This recipe was created by one of our online fans, Aimee MacArthur from Montana. Aimee is a home cook and part-time private chef who loves good food made using quality ingredients, especially seasonings, herbs, oils, and vinegars. She is also a home "sourdough scientist," working on perfecting the craft.