Potato, Cheese, and Ham Terrine

Name: Potato, Cheese, and Ham Terrine
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Yellow potatoes 0.9 lb; Emmentaler cheese 3.5 oz; Prosciutto cotto 3.5 oz; Eggs 2; Fresh liquid cream 3 ½ tbsp; Butter to taste; Nutmeg to taste; Salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; Thyme to taste; Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese 2.1 oz

it de fr es br

Gluten Free

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Sebastian Fitarau

In Northern Italy, folks really love dishes that are simple yet bursting with flavor. Really, they do. The terrine of potatoes, cheese and ham is just the perfect example. It's not your average ham and potato bake—it's got roots in Italian regional cooking. Tender potatoes, slices of Emmentaler cheese, and juicy ham all layered together. This combo is both rustic and kinda fancy, melting into a creamy, gooey center. It's the kind of dish everyone reaches for when it hits the table. For sure. Think of it as a potato ham cheese casserole with an Italian twist, thanks to the local cheese and maybe some fresh herbs thrown in. Up north, they serve it hot or just warm, so you get all that soft, melty goodness in every bite.

And you know, what’s great about this cheesy ham and potato dish is its flexibility. Depending on what you've got, you can toss in a sharper cheese or sprinkle in some chopped parsley or thyme for extra flavor. Works great as an appetizer but can totally be the main attraction for dinner, especially if you’re into comfort food that’s rich and satisfying. Plus, in Italy, other potato dishes often appear as starters, but this one really stands out due to its moist center and the salty kick from the ham. And look, it’s a fantastic way to use leftover ham from a big meal—just slice it up, layer with potatoes and cheese, and you've got an easy ham and potato recipe that’s bound to please. Whether it’s a family gathering or a casual dinner night, this casserole feels like the perfect choice, wrapping you in those warm, cheesy flavors that northern Italians excel at. Really, it’s these simple yet delicious elements that make this dish a beloved part of Italian cuisine, showing how traditional ingredients can create something really really special. Pretty much.

How to prepare Potato, Cheese, and Ham Terrine

To prepare the potato, cheese, and ham terrines, first boil the potatoes in salted boiling water 1. Once they are soft, mash them with a potato masher 2 in a large bowl, then add the cream 3.

Add the eggs 4, the Parmesan 5, and a sprinkle of nutmeg 6.

Continue with the thyme 7, adjust with salt and pepper 8 and mix until you get a homogeneous mixture 9.

Slice the Emmentaler thinly 10. Butter 4 ramekins with a capacity of 170 ml (5.75 oz), with a diameter of 3 inches and 2 inches high 11. Fill them halfway with the potato mixture and level the surface. Place 3 slices of cheese in each terrine 12.

Continue with a slice of cooked ham 13, another 3 slices of Emmentaler 14 and cover with another layer of the potato mixture 15.

Sprinkle the surface with Parmesan 16 and finish with a few sprigs of thyme 17. Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for 25 minutes or until the mixture is well cooked and the surface is golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly. Your potato, cheese, and ham terrines are ready to be enjoyed 18.

Storage

The potato, cheese, and ham terrines can be stored in the refrigerator in a closed container for up to 2 days.

Advice

For a stronger flavor, you can use Gorgonzola instead of Emmentaler. You can also replace the cooked ham with speck or bacon to add a smoky touch. If you love aromatic herbs, you can enrich the potato mixture with finely chopped chives or parsley.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.