Ham and Cabbage Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped cooked ham
• 1.5 cups frozen Southern-style hash brown potatoes , thawed
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter , divided
• 1.5 cups chopped onions
• 5 cups chopped cabbage
• 0.5 cups shredded carrots
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons dry mustard
• 0.25 teaspoons white pepper
• 2 cups milk , or more as needed
• 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
• 3 slices bacon strips , cooked and crumbled
• 0.75 cups buttery round crackers , crumbled

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. 2

   Spread out chopped ham on the bottom of the prepared dish.

3. 3

   Set hash browns on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high power for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Potatoes should be thawed and feel slightly warm to the touch, but not be cooked. Set aside.

4. 4

   Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook onions until they are just starting to turn clear, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chopped cabbage and continue to cook, stirring often, until cabbage wilts down a little but is still crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in shredded raw carrots and microwaved hash browns, then add mixture to the baking dish.

5. 5

   Wipe out the skillet and melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Combine all-purpose flour, salt, dry mustard, and white pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle flour and seasonings over the melted butter and stir, constantly, until flour and butter are well mixed and the mixture is bubbly, about 3 minutes. Allow to bubble for 1 minute, while stirring.

6. 6

   Gradually pour in milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook, stirring, until the mixture boils and thickens, 3 to 5 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, stir in an additional 3 to 4 tablespoons milk. Remove from heat.

7. 7

   Add half of the grated Cheddar cheese and stir until it is melted, then add the remaining half and repeat.

8. 8

   Pour sauce over the casserole and top with crumbled bacon and cracker crumbs.

9. 9

   Bake in the preheated oven until the top is bubbly and brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm.