Ham and Cottage Cheese High-Protein Potato Bake
A comforting high-protein casserole blending diced ham, creamy cottage cheese, and cheddar with tender potato slices. This american-inspired keto (keto, high protein) ready in about 65 minutes pairs diced cooked ham, cottage cheese, sharp cheddar cheese shredded for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups medium Yukon gold potatoes sliced 1/4 inch
- 1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 1/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Peel and slice Yukon gold potatoes into 1/4 inch rounds, then parboil in salted water for 8 minutes until slightly tender but firm; drain well.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham, 1 cup cottage cheese, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; mix thoroughly.
- Step 3: In a greased 9x9 inch baking dish, layer half of the parboiled potatoes, then spread half the ham mixture evenly over them. Repeat with remaining potatoes and ham mixture.
- Step 4: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- Step 5: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes uncovered until top is golden and bubbly. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ham and Cottage Cheese High-Protein Potato Bake take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Ham and Cottage Cheese High-Protein Potato Bake?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep diced cooked ham from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Ham and Cottage Cheese High-Protein Potato Bake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Ham and Cottage Cheese High-Protein Potato Bake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Ham and Cottage Cheese High-Protein Potato Bake keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
