The day after a big holiday, us cooks aren't typically motivated to do much more than reheat some leftovers, put our feet up and relax. My mom made this super-easy day-after-the-holiday main-dish casserole twice a year, after Christmas and after Easter, when she had leftover ham. Our family of four loved it -- creamy-cheesy scalloped potatoes chocked full of diced ham and tender peas. It's almost too easy to be a recipe, but, it's so easy and comforting-good it's worth sharing.
So easy & comforting-good this not-a-recipe is worth sharing:
1 7-ounce boxes Betty Crocker's cheesy scalloped potatoes
2 1/4 cups whole milk, heated on the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming
2 tablespoons salted butter, sliced or cubed
1 1/2 cups diced ham (6 ounces)
1 1/2 cups frozen and thawed peas (6 ounces)
~ Step 1. Place the 2 1/4 cups milk and 2 tablespoons salted butter in a 2-cup measuring container (or in a small saucepan on the stovetop). Heat until milk is steaming hot and butter has melted into the milk. While milk is heating:
~Step 2. Place dehydrated potatoes in a 1 1/2-2 quart casserole, then, scatter the dry cheese-sauce mixture over the top of potatoes. Scatter the diced ham over the top followed by the thawed peas. Add the hot milk to the casserole. Using a large spoon, give the mixture a thorough stir. Bake on center rack of preheated 375° oven 40-45 minutes, until top is nicely browned and bubbly. Remove from oven and rest about 15 minutes prior to serving -- mixture will thicken a bit more as it cools a bit.
Steamy & creamy on the inside w/a crispy top:
Boxed Scalloped Potatoes, Ham & Peas Casserole: Recipe yields 2-4 main-dish servings.
Special Equipment List: cutting board-chef's knife; 2-cup measuring container or small saucepan; 1 1/2-2 quart casserole; large spoon
Cook's Note: I know I was not alone on this point, Covid changed what I kept stored in my pantry -- truth told, it's not bad, just different. In preparation for the lock down that occurred two years 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. Be sure to try my not-a-recipe for ~ Doctoring Up a Box of Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes ~.
"We are all in this food world together." ~ Melanie Preschutti
(Recipe, Commentary and Photos courtesy of Melanie's Kitchen/Copyright 2022)
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