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Ultimate Ham & Bacon Cheesy Potatoes – Easy Side Dish

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These Ultimate Ham & Bacon Cheesy Potatoes are a rich, creamy, and smoky side dish that steals the show at any meal. Loaded with layers of tender Yukon Gold potatoes, diced ham, crispy bacon, and a luscious cheese sauce, this recipe is perfect for holidays, potlucks, or comforting weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch thick)
  • 2 cups cooked ham, diced into small cubes
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble into small pieces. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. Add the butter to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat. Once melted, add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute to make a roux. The mixture will look pasty and smell slightly nutty.
  5. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking constantly. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon. Reduce heat to low and stir in the sour cream, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  6. Add the grated cheddar and Gruyère cheese in handfuls, stirring until each addition is fully melted before adding the next. The sauce should be smooth, glossy, and fragrant. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Layer the dish: Spread one-third of the sliced potatoes in an even layer in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the diced ham and half of the crumbled bacon over the potatoes. Pour one-third of the cheese sauce over the top. Repeat with another layer of potatoes, the remaining ham and bacon, and another third of the sauce. Top with the remaining potatoes and pour the rest of the sauce over everything. Gently press down with a spatula so the sauce seeps between the layers.
  8. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the potatoes.
  9. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the top is golden brown and bubbly. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  10. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Slice potatoes evenly for consistent cooking. Grate your own cheese for a smooth sauce. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the sauce to set. For make-ahead, assemble without the breadcrumb topping, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then add topping and bake, adding about 10 minutes to the baking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy potatoes, ham and bacon potatoes, loaded potato casserole, holiday side dish, comfort food, potato casserole, Easter side dish, Christmas side dish

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/ultimate-ham-and-bacon-cheesy-potatoes-easy-side-dish/