Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups potatoes, thin sliced (I peel mine most of the time, but you can use skins on if you want)
• 1 1/2 cups diced ham
• 4 slices bacon, diced and sauteed
• 1 medium onion, cut in quarters and thin sliced
• 1 small celery rib, cut in half lengthwise 2x and then fine diced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 2 1/2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 dash cayenne pepper
• 3/4 cup grated smoked gouda cheese
• 3/4 cup grated white cheddar cheese (1/4 cup for the sauce, 1/2 for the top)
• 1/2 cup grated white cheddar cheese, from above
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Bacon -- In a small sauce pan, heat to medium and add the bacon and saute slowly, not butter or oil needed. Just go slowly and crisp until golden brown and crisp. Remove the bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.

2. Onions and Celery -- Now in the same pan with the bacon drippings (just keep 1 teaspoon of the drippings), you don't need any more. Just toss out any additional drippings. Saute your onion and celery until tender. It should take around 4-5 minutes if that on medium heat. Add the bacon and a little salt and pepper and set to the side.

3. Ham and Potatoes -- Just have them thin sliced and diced and ready to go.

4. Sauce -- In a medium size pot, medium heat, add the butter and melt. Add in the flour and mix well to combine. Cook on medium low until the butter and flour are well combined. Slowly add in the milk and cream while stirring constantly as well as the salt/pepper and cayenne. Stir well and cook on medium heat until the sauce begins to thicken. Add in the cheese (gouda and cheddar) stir until melted. If the sauce is a bit thick, just add a little more milk. I like happen to like mine thick, but my Mom always liked them a bit thinner, so I always added a little more milk when I made it for her. That is just personal taste.

5. Casserole -- Spray a 13x9" or any similar casserole dish with non stick spray. Layer 1/3 potatoes, 1/2 the vegetables, 1/2 the ham, 1/2 the cheese sauce; then repeat. Top with potatoes and the remaining 1/2 cup cheese and a sprinkle of paprika for the topping.

6. Bake -- I bake mine in a 350 oven for 30 minutes, covered with foil, then uncover and cook another 20-30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.