Creamy Ham and Potato Gratin

1Ingredients

• 2 poundsPotatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
• 8 ouncesCooked ham, diced
• 1.5 cupsHeavy cream
• 0.5 cupWhole milk
• 2 clovesGarlic, minced
• 0.5 mediumYellow onion, finely diced
• 1 cupGruyere or sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoonsUnsalted butter
• 1 teaspoonSalt
• 0.5 teaspoonBlack pepper, freshly ground
• 0.3 teaspoonGround nutmeg

2Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. Wash and peel the potatoes, then slice them thinly and uniformly (about 1/8-inch thick). A mandoline slicer works best for this.

   ⏱ 10 min
2. 2

   In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

   ⏱ 5 min
3. 3

   Pour in the heavy cream and milk. Whisk in the salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat. The sauce will be thin, but will thicken as it bakes.

   ⏱ 5 min
4. 4

   Arrange about one-third of the sliced potatoes in a single, slightly overlapping layer in the prepared baking dish. Scatter half of the diced ham over the potatoes, then pour about one-third of the cream sauce evenly over the ham and potatoes. Sprinkle with one-third of the shredded cheese.

   ⏱ 3 min
5. 5

   Repeat the layering process: add another third of the potatoes, then the remaining ham, another third of the cream sauce, and another third of the cheese.

   ⏱ 2 min
6. 6

   Finish with the remaining potatoes, pour over the last of the cream sauce, and top with the remaining shredded cheese.

   ⏱ 2 min
7. 7

   Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender, the sauce is bubbly, and the top is golden brown and crispy.

   ⏱ 50 min
8. 8

   Remove the gratin from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set and makes for easier serving.

   ⏱ 15 min