Creamy Ham, Pea, and Potato Casserole is a hearty dish brimming with comforting flavors that evoke memories of family gatherings and cozy Sunday dinners. Tender chunks of ham mingle with creamy potatoes and sweet peas, all bound together in a luscious, white cream sauce.

Updated: April 10, 2025

I’m proud to share this recipe with you! It “hails” from one of my very favorite women in the whole wide world. My Grandma Helen. She was an amazing cook…when she didn’t get too creative! Lol (I’m still scarred for life over the wheat germ in the pancake batter!)

One year there was a lot of leftover ham after Easter. Grandma said, “We’ll just whip up my ham, pea, and potato casserole, Nori!” (Her nickname for me!) It had three of my favorite ingredients…seemed like a great idea to me.  

I watched as she made this amazing white creamy “gravy”, peeled & sliced a bunch of potatoes, cut up some of the leftover ham slices, and opened a can of peas. Then she started layering everything. Popped it into the oven and an hour or so later, out came the BEST creamy ham, pea, and potato casserole. It was heavenly!

Ever since that first “lesson”, I’ve been making this delicious ham casserole every year after the Holidays with our leftover ham. It’s pure comfort food and reminds me of my beautiful, passionate, fun Grandma. She truly was the hardest working lady I have ever known and reveled in the JOY of working!

Allow me to share a very personal family recipe with you! I’m sure there are copy-cat recipes out there, but this one has been around for at least 70 years! (And NO…that’s NOT how old I am!)

Ingredients to Gather

• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2½ cups 2% milk, or whole milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 8 large potatoes, peeled and sliced. Keep them in a bowl of water to prevent them from turning brown.
• 3 cups ham, diced or sliced
• 1 (15 ounce) can of sweet peas
• Smoked Paprika for garnish (optional)

Grandma’s Ham, Pea, and Potato Casserole Instructions

I would like to start by making the homemade white sauce for this casserole! It allows me to throw it together quickly!

I know making homemade gravy and sauces can be extremely intimidating. However, once you’ve masted it, there’s SO much you can do with it. From sausage gravy and creamy country gravy for Chicken Fried Steak. So, let’s begin with the good stuff…the gravy!

Homemade Traditional White Sauce

The main sauce for this delicious casserole is a homemade white sauce that begins with a traditional simple “roux”. Roux is the thickening agent used in white sauce/gravy. It is made by combining equal parts of butter and flour.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt ¼ cup of butter. Whisk in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour to create a creamy, lump-free base.

Slowly add in milk, stirring constantly, until well incorporated. Continue stirring until smooth and creamy, and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Simmer for 1 minute and turn heat off. Set aside as you start to assemble the casserole.

Tip: ALWAYS use a whisk when making gravy, cream sauces, or cheese sauces. It reduces the chance of any lumps, and creates a smooth creamy sauce!

TIP: If the sauce becomes too thick, add enough milk until you have reached the desired consistency of “gravy”.

Assembling the Casserole

Peel and slice 8 large potatoes. Cut out any brown spots. Slice them and place them in a large bowl of water, so they won’t turn brown. This allows you to prepare the potatoes before making your white sauce.

Drain the potatoes before assembling the casserole. Spray a 4-quart casserole dish with cooking oil. Place 1/3 of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of your casserole dish.

Add a layer of sliced ham. You can use diced ham too if you don’t have any leftover ham. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the peas.

Pour 1/3 of the white sauce over the ham and potato layer. Repeat the layers again. Sliced potatoes, sliced ham, and the other 1/3 of the can of peas. Pour another 3rd of the sauce over the second layer.

Finish with the last 3rd of the potatoes, ham, peas and the remaining sauce. Sprinkle top with paprika. Please note that you do not have to sprinkle with paprika. I just love the added color, and well… Grandma did it, so I did it too!

Baking Instructions

Cover casserole with aluminum foil and place in a preheated 350 °F oven for 1 hour. After one hour, remove the foil, and place back in the oven for an additional 10–15 minutes to brown the top of the casserole.

Your potatoes should be “fork tender”. I always gently test by poking a few of the potatoes in the center of the casserole to make sure they are done.

Nothing I hate more than “crunchy” potatoes! This casserole needs to have tender tatters!

The wonderful thing about this casserole is it’s a complete meal with the potatoes, meat, and peas. The creamy white sauce brings all those ingredients together beautifully.

This is a pure “comfort” dish! It’s so fantastic with that leftover ham. I used the slow cooker peach glazed ham leftovers so don’t worry if your ham has a glaze on it. You can actually rinse the cooked ham to remove any glaze, if you want, but it isn’t necessary. It’s still going to be amazingly delicious!

Recipe Wrap-up!

I hope as you prepare Grandma’s Ham, Pea, and Potato Casserole in your own kitchen, you take a moment to savor the aroma of bubbling creamy white sauce and savory ham that fills the air. This dish isn’t just about nourishing the body; it’s about creating memories and honoring family traditions.

I’m truly honored to share it with you, and I know Grandma would be flattered that you shared it with your family and friends.

Other Favorite Casserole Recipes

• Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
• Poppy Seed Chicken Skillet Dinner
• Easy Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole
• Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Country Hamburger Skillet Dinner
• Pork Chop and Creamy Potato Casserole
• Kid’s Favorite Pizza Pasta Casserole from allrecipes.com

Happy Nesting Friends!

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