~ Doctoring Up a Box of Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes ~

I know I'm not alone on this point,  C-19 has changed what I store in my pantry -- truth told, it's not bad, just different.  In preparation for the lock down that occurred a few months ago, I stocked several boxes of Rice-a-Roni, four boxes of Kraft macaroni and cheese, a big box of Hungry Jack instant mashed potatoes, and, a few boxes of Stovetop stuffing mix and Betty Crocker cheesy scalloped potatoes.  Thanks to them being staples in my mom's pantry, I knew these easy-to-make convenience-food side-dishes not only have a long shelf life, they're tasty.

Steamy & creamy on the inside w/a crispy top: 

In the case of the scalloped potatoes, my mom always, always, always made them, even for company and holidays.  She had her method for "doctoring up" (her words) these boxes of dehydrated potatoes.  There were never any complaints and never any leftovers -- everyone gobbled them up.  I so forgot how much like them, I've taken to making them occasionally.  In my kitchen, they're no longer "just in case" food.  They're scrape-the-casserole-clean comfort food.

Prepare two boxes in a 1 1/2-quart casserole.

Skip the water, use whole milk (4 1/2 cups).

Give the potatoes ample time to soften prior to baking.

Rest the casserole about 15 minutes prior to serving.

Better boxed scalloped potatoes -- what the doctor ordered:

2  7-ounce boxes Betty Crocker's cheesy scalloped potates

4 1/2  cups whole milk, heated on the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming

4  tablespoons salted butter, sliced or cubed

Place dehydrated potatoes in bottom of 1 1/2-quart casserole:

Slowly add the steaming hot milk:

Add the sliced or cubed butter:

Wait for the butter to melt, 1-2 minutes:

Sprinkle in dry cheese sauce mixture from the packets:

Using a spoon, slowly stir dry cheese sauce into all:

Set aside for 60 minutes, then bake @ 350°, 30-40 minutes:

Every now & then, it's OK to enjoy thinking inside the box:

Doctoring Up a Box of Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes:  Recipe yields 6-12 side-dish servings.

Special Equipment List:  4-cup measuring container; 1 1/2 quart casserole

Cook's Note: I'm no different than a lot of you when it comes to weeknight dinners.  Sometimes I put a small chicken in the oven to roast, other times I fry a few pork chops, sometimes I roast or poach a turkey tenderloin -- easy to make, minimum-fuss fare.  Stuffing goes great with all of them.  That said, on a busy week day, many times, all I  have the time or inclination to make are two easy-peasy satellite side-dishes -- a bag of our favorite steam-in-bag vegetables, and, a box of "doctored up" Stovetop-type stuffing -- and there's no shame in either one.  That's why I keep Stovetop brand stuffing in my pantry at all times -- of course there are other brands, I like Stovetop.

"We are all in this food world together." ~ Melanie Preschutti

(Recipe, Commentary and Photos courtesy of Melanie's Kitchen/Copyright 2021) 

Comments

[Roy Dedrick]

I have 5 boxes I want to cook up today and I definitely will try the soak for an hour method as I was just wondering how I could get the potatoes to fluff up more while they are cooking.
My only problem is if the box says to cook 1 box for 20 minutes and 2 for 25 minutes should I cook 5 boxes for 40 minutes or do I monitor the top while in the oven for brownness?

[KitchenEncounters]

Lori -- That's why it's called "doctoring up" a box of scalloped potatoes. We can all agree there's nothing like the real thing, but, in a pinch, they are a good pantry staple to keep on hand.

[Lori]

I don't normally like using the dehydrated potatoes because of the obvious. I hate the texture, however; I have 2 pkgs left and a ham steak to cook up. I am letting it set for the 60 minutes and then will cook it. I believe in you 😆 so I'll let y'all know ❤️

[KitchenEncounters]

Thanks Jeanne!

[Jeanne C]

I love this method so much! I've been adding leftover ham steak cut into chunks plus peas, thyme, and pepper to be an all in one meal, and my family asks for it all the time! My husband insisted he didn't like scalloped potatoes until he tasted these!

[KitchenEncounters]

Nmyb: That sounds wonderful!

[Nmyb]

Awesome idea and I've taken it a step further by adding thinly sliced onions cut into rings on top of of the potatoes then top with garlic powder & grated cheese.

[KitchenEncounters]

Carrie -- Even if you don't have an hour to wait, you should be fine. Enjoy!

[Carrie]

Wish I'd have seen this sooner. Don't have an hour to let sit now. Will try cooking and then baking after cooking, as recommended elsewhere, and use your no water method. Thank you.

[Midmodtom]

Brilliant! I've done all kinds of things to doctor up boxed potatoes. One thing I DID find was that adding sour cream impeded the potatoes from getting tender, even after over an hour! Substituting the water for milk here grants my wish to add more dairy. Thank you!

[Dee]

Looks great thank you.