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Ham and cheese bake

Name: Ham and cheese bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: Serves 4-6
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; Knob of unsalted butter; 1 large leek, sliced (or 1 large onion or 3-4 shallots); 3 fat garlic cloves, crushed; 300-400g mixed greens – spinach, kale, chard, etc – woody stems removed, the rest roughly chopped; Large handful herbs – parsley, basil, thyme, oregano, etc – roughly chopped (optional); Grated zest and juice 1 lemon; 200g leftover ham, roughly torn; For the cheesy béchamel; 40g unsalted butter; 40g plain flour; 500ml whole milk; 80-100g halloumi, grated; 50g parmesan, grated; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; For the crunchy topping; Large handful fancy potato crisps, crushed; Large handful mixed roasted nuts, roughly chopped; 1-2 oregano sprigs, leaves picked (optional), or use thyme, parsley or finely chopped rosemary instead

By: Jess Meyer
Former deputy food editor, delicious.

Published: 10 Dec 21
Updated: 18 Mar 24

A cheesy ham bake is a versatile and flexible way to use up Christmas leftovers. Fold greens, turkey or ham into the rich, cheesy sauce.

Leftover Brussels? Slice then fold those sprouts into these delicious savoury pancakes.

Easy
December 2021

Test kitchen approved

Serves 4-6
Hands-on time 15 min, plus oven time 30 min

A cheesy ham bake is a versatile and flexible way to use up Christmas leftovers. Fold greens, turkey or ham into the rich, cheesy sauce.

Leftover Brussels? Slice then fold those sprouts into these delicious savoury pancakes.

Nutrition: Per serving (for 6)

Calories: 359kcals
Fat: 24.1g (11.3g saturated)
Protein: 20.1g
Carbohydrates: 14.2g (5.7g sugars)
Fibre: 2.7g
Salt: 1.7g

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Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
Knob of unsalted butter
1 large leek, sliced (or 1 large onion or 3-4 shallots)
3 fat garlic cloves, crushed
300-400g mixed greens – spinach, kale, chard, etc – woody stems removed, the rest roughly chopped
Large handful herbs – parsley, basil, thyme, oregano, etc – roughly chopped (optional)
Grated zest and juice 1 lemon
200g leftover ham, roughly torn

For the cheesy béchamel

40g unsalted butter
40g plain flour
500ml whole milk
80-100g halloumi, grated
50g parmesan, grated
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

For the crunchy topping

Large handful fancy potato crisps, crushed
Large handful mixed roasted nuts, roughly chopped
1-2 oregano sprigs, leaves picked (optional), or use thyme, parsley or finely chopped rosemary instead

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Method

Heat the oven to 180°C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil and butter in a large lidded pan over a medium heat. Add the leek and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes, then add the greens, herbs (if using), lemon zest and juice along with some seasoning. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes until the greens are wilted (you may need to add them in batches). Stir in the ham, then transfer to a large casserole or baking dish. Set aside.
For the béchamel, melt the butter in a large pan over amedium-high heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk in the milk off the heat, a little at a time to avoid lumps, then return to the heat and cook, whisking, until the sauce comes to the boil and thickens – about 6-7 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining béchamel ingredients.
Pour the béchamel over the greens and ham, mixing a little so it sinks into the filling. Put the casserole/baking dish on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes until bubbling and golden.

While the mornay bakes, mixtogether the crushed crisps, nuts and oregano, if using. Sprinkle over the baked mornay just before serving for added crunch.

Recipe from December 2021 Issue

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 359kcals
Fat: 24.1g (11.3g saturated)
Protein: 20.1g
Carbohydrates: 14.2g (5.7g sugars)
Fibre: 2.7g
Salt: 1.7g

delicious. tips

Easy swaps: Sub in other roast meat, roasted root veg or smoked salmon for the filling. Use whatever cheese you have to hand – blue, smoked cheddar, goat’s cheese, even feta will work. Adjust the seasoning to match, as some cheeses are quite salty.