Dad always sneaks a batch of these before guests arrive. Just 3 ingredients. Warm, melted, and impossibly savory.

These Low Carb Ham & Cheese Bakes are the kind of thing my dad would quietly slide into the oven before company showed up, just so he could “taste test” a few while they were still molten and bubbly. They’re made with only three ingredients, but come out warm, melted, and impossibly savory—basically the cozy, cheesy edges of a casserole in every bite. This is a no-fuss, Midwestern-style crowd-pleaser that works for brunch, game day, or a quick appetizer when you’re juggling work, kids, and guests all at once.

Serve these ham and cheese bakes straight from the casserole dish while they’re still hot and the cheese is browned and bubbling. I like to pair them with a simple green salad or raw veggies and ranch to keep things low carb but still feel like a full spread. They’re great alongside scrambled eggs for breakfast-for-dinner, or with a bowl of tomato soup if you’re not strictly low carb. Set out toothpicks or small tongs so people can grab pieces easily, and maybe some spicy mustard or hot sauce on the side for dipping.

Servings: 6

1 pound thinly sliced deli ham (preferably large, round slices)

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a medium ceramic casserole dish (about 8x10 inches or similar) with a little butter or nonstick spray so the cheese doesn’t stick too much.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the heavy whipping cream with 1 cup of the shredded white cheddar cheese until it’s mostly combined. It will be thick and a little lumpy—that’s okay. This mixture will help everything melt into a rich, savory layer.

Lay a single layer of sliced ham over the bottom of the casserole dish, slightly overlapping the pieces so there are no big gaps. Tear slices as needed to fit the corners and edges.

Spoon a few tablespoons of the cream-and-cheese mixture over the ham layer and gently spread it around. You don’t need full coverage; just dot it fairly evenly so it can melt down between the folds.

Add another layer of ham slices on top, folding or loosely crumpling them a bit so you get those nice ruffly edges that brown up in the oven. Repeat with more of the cream-and-cheese mixture, then continue layering ham and the mixture until you’ve used all the ham and cream mixture. Try to finish with a ham layer on top.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded white cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer of ham, making sure to cover as much surface area as possible. This is what will bubble and char into that golden brown, irresistible crust.

Place the casserole dish on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbling around the edges, and browned in spots on top. If you like a deeper golden char, you can switch the oven to broil for 1–2 extra minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t burn.

Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This short rest helps the cheesy layers set up just enough so you can cut or scoop neat portions without everything sliding apart.

Use a sharp knife to cut into squares or use a spatula to scoop out folded portions of ham with the melted, browned cheese on top. Serve warm straight from the casserole dish while the cheese is still gooey and the edges are slightly crisp.

For a little kick, you can sprinkle the top with freshly ground black pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes before baking—this doesn’t add to the ingredient count in any serious way, but it does change the flavor. If you want a smokier vibe, use smoked white cheddar or smoked ham. To keep things very low carb, double-check that your deli ham doesn’t have added sugars or honey in the ingredient list. You can also assemble the layers a few hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate; just add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time if you’re starting from cold. Food safety tips: keep ham refrigerated until you’re ready to layer, and don’t leave the baked dish at room temperature for more than 2 hours—cool leftovers quickly, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat individual portions in the oven or toaster oven so the cheese re-melts and the edges crisp back up, instead of getting rubbery in the microwave.