Ham & Potato Casserole

2 cups peeled, sliced potatoes (about ¼” thick)

1 cup of peas and carrots (frozen or canned (drained)

3 tablespoons butter

2 cups cubed fully cooked ham  

¼  red onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup milk, or more as needed

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Place potatoes, peas and carrot in a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender. Drain and transfer to a 2-quart baking dish.

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir ham and onion until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer ham mixture to baking dish and mix with potatoes.

Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter in a skillet.  Stir flour in melted butter until smooth. Gradually stir in milk.  Add salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese; stir until melted. Pour cheese mixture over ham and potatoes.

Bake in preheated oven until bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Allow casserole to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Comment:  This recipe originally called for celery and carrots.  I made the change to peas and carrots.  I increased the amount of onion using red to give it even more flavor and eliminated the bread crumbs that topped the dish.  It turned out easy to make as well as delicious.  You can bet I'll be making this again.  My food testers loved it too.  If you want to add back the bread crumbs you can but I think I would add it during the last 5 minutes and use panko for the crunch.