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12/06/2021

~ The Best Boxed Stovetop Scalloped Potatoes Ever ~

IMG_3607Yep.  It's true.  I keep a box or three of cheesy scalloped potatoes in my pantry at all times.  You'll also find some Stovetop Stuffing in there, along with some Rice-a-Roni and a couple bottles of store-bought pasta sauce too.  You see -- I'm no different than the rest of the world.  On occasion, there are times in all our lives when we need to rely on a convenience food in order to get dinner on the table in a hurry.  There's more.  "Doctoring up" a boxed mix is one of my specialties, meaning adding a few ingredients and/or tweaking the instructions to make it semi-homemade.

Truth told:  I like boxed scalloped potatoes prepared on the stovetop more than when they're prepared in the oven.

IMG_35442  tablespoons salted butter

1 1/2  cups water

1  cup + 2 tablespoons cream (Note:  half-and-half or milk may be substituted, but, cream really makes for a rich delish dish.)

1  teaspoon dehydrated minced garlic

1  teaspoon dehydrated minced onion

1/4  teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2  teaspoon coarse-ground pepper

1  5-ounce box Betty Crocker Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, dehydrated potatoes and seasoning packet

IMG_3549 IMG_3549 IMG_3549 IMG_3549~Step 1.  In a 2-quart saucepan, place all the the ingredients as listed.  Give the mixture a thorough stir.  Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, over medium- medium-high heat.

IMG_3558 IMG_3558 IMG_3558Step 2.  Adjust heat to a gentle but steady simmer, cover the pot and continue to cook until potatoes are cooked through and tender, and, a thick, rich cheese sauce has formed, about 20-25 minutes (taste it to test for doneness).  Turn the heat off and/or remove from heat.  Set aside 5-10 minutes prior to serving.

Thick, rich, creamy, full-flavored & perfectly cooked potatoes:

IMG_3576The Best Boxed Stovetop Scalloped Potatoes Ever:  Recipe yields 2-4 servings.

Special Equipment List:  2-cup measuring container; 1-cup measuring container; 2-quart stockpot; large spoon

IMG_3538Cook's Note:  We all love a one-skillet dinner.  It's family-style eating at its best.  Theres more.  A skillet that goes from stovetop to table cuts down on cleanup time too.  One-skillet dinners are usually not overly complicated, but, when you're seriously in a pinch (you know, those stress-filled times -- time and patience ran out, an ingredient got left at the grocery store, or, a popup snowstorm made for bad traveling), if it can be made with a few pantry ingredients and some pork chops or chicken breasts you've had tucked in the freezer, it's a welcome relief.  Try my  ~ Scalloped Potatoes & Pork Chop Dinner~.

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

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

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