Ingredients
- 2 boxes (4.7 oz each) Betty Crocker™ Scalloped Potatoes: The foundation of our dish, Betty Crocker scalloped potatoes are the secret to making this recipe incredibly quick and easy. These convenient boxes contain thinly sliced dehydrated potatoes and a flavorful sauce mix. The potatoes are perfectly pre-sliced, eliminating the time-consuming task of peeling and slicing potatoes yourself. The sauce mix is carefully formulated to create that classic scalloped potato flavor, providing a balanced blend of seasonings and thickening agents. Using this boxed mix not only saves time but also ensures consistent results every time you make this dish. For this recipe, using two boxes ensures you have enough potatoes to create a substantial and satisfying meal for eight servings.
- 1 cup Diced Ham Steak: The savory heart of this dish, diced ham steak adds a wonderful depth of flavor and protein. Ham steak provides a richer, smokier taste compared to regular sliced ham. It also holds its shape well during baking, ensuring you get satisfying chunks of ham throughout the scalloped potatoes. Dicing the ham steak into bite-sized pieces makes it easy to distribute evenly through the dish, ensuring every serving has a delicious ham component. You can use leftover ham from a holiday dinner, or easily find pre-cooked ham steak in the deli section of most grocery stores. The salty and slightly smoky flavor of the ham perfectly complements the creamy potatoes and sweet peas.
- 1 cup Frozen Sweet Peas: Adding a pop of color, sweetness, and freshness, frozen sweet peas are a fantastic addition to this creamy potato dish. Peas provide a lovely textural contrast to the soft potatoes and creamy sauce, offering a slight burst of sweetness in every bite. Using frozen peas is incredibly convenient as they are readily available year-round and require no preparation – simply toss them in frozen! The sweetness of the peas balances the richness of the cheese and ham, creating a more well-rounded flavor profile. Don’t worry about thawing them beforehand; they will cook perfectly in the oven as the dish bakes. If you prefer fresh peas, you can certainly use them, just blanch them briefly before adding to the potato mixture.
- 4 cups Boiling Water: Boiling water is crucial for rehydrating the dehydrated potatoes from the Betty Crocker mix and activating the sauce. The heat from the boiling water helps to soften the potatoes quickly and evenly, allowing them to absorb the creamy sauce during baking. It also helps to dissolve the sauce mix and create the luscious, creamy base that is characteristic of scalloped potatoes. Using boiling water ensures that the potatoes cook through properly and become tender while the sauce thickens to the perfect consistency. Make sure your water is at a rolling boil before pouring it over the potato mixture to achieve the best results.
- 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream: The secret ingredient to truly decadent and luxurious scalloped potatoes is heavy whipping cream. Unlike milk or half-and-half, heavy whipping cream has a higher fat content, which translates to a richer, creamier, and more flavorful sauce. The heavy cream emulsifies beautifully with the sauce mix and boiling water, creating a velvety smooth texture that coats the potatoes perfectly. It also adds a subtle sweetness and richness that elevates the dish from ordinary to extraordinary. While you could technically substitute with half-and-half or milk, the heavy cream is highly recommended for achieving the signature creamy texture and flavor of this recipe. Don’t skimp on the heavy cream – it’s what makes this dish truly special!
- 2 tablespoons Thinly Sliced Fresh Chives: Fresh chives are used both within the potato mixture and as a final garnish, adding a delicate oniony flavor and a vibrant pop of green. Chives provide a subtle herbaceous note that complements the richness of the cheese and cream, adding a touch of freshness to the dish. Thinly slicing the chives ensures they distribute evenly throughout the mixture and release their flavor effectively. Using fresh chives rather than dried provides a brighter, more aromatic flavor. If you don’t have fresh chives on hand, you could substitute with a small amount of finely chopped green onions or parsley, although chives are definitely the preferred choice for their delicate flavor. The chives not only enhance the flavor but also add a visually appealing touch to the finished dish.
- 1 cup Shredded White Cheddar Cheese (4 oz): Sharp white cheddar cheese provides a tangy, flavorful, and melty topping to these scalloped potatoes. White cheddar offers a slightly sharper and more complex flavor compared to yellow cheddar, which pairs beautifully with the creamy potatoes, ham, and peas. Shredding the cheese ensures it melts evenly and creates a golden brown, cheesy crust on top of the dish. The cheese adds a wonderful richness and savory element, making the dish even more satisfying. You can use pre-shredded cheddar cheese for convenience, or shred your own from a block for potentially even fresher flavor. While white cheddar is recommended, you could also experiment with other cheeses like Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or a blend of cheddar and Parmesan for different flavor profiles.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Dish
Begin by preheating your oven to a high temperature of 450°F (232°C). This high heat helps to ensure that the potatoes cook through quickly and the cheese topping becomes beautifully golden brown and bubbly. While the oven is preheating, take a 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Glass dishes are ideal for baking scalloped potatoes as they distribute heat evenly, ensuring the potatoes cook uniformly. To prevent the potatoes from sticking to the dish and to make serving easier, lightly spray the baking dish with cooking spray. Any type of cooking spray will work, whether it’s olive oil, canola oil, or a non-stick spray. Make sure to coat the bottom and sides of the dish evenly. This simple step will save you time and frustration when it comes to cleaning up later.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in a Large Bowl
Now, gather a large mixing bowl – it should be spacious enough to comfortably hold all the ingredients. Into this bowl, empty both packages of Betty Crocker scalloped potatoes. This includes both the dehydrated potato slices and the sauce mix packets from both boxes. Next, add the diced ham steak and the frozen sweet peas to the bowl. Distribute these ingredients evenly over the potato slices. The frozen peas can be added directly from the freezer – there’s no need to thaw them beforehand. Their frozen state will help to cool down the boiling water slightly and prevent the potatoes from overcooking at the edges initially.
Step 3: Add Boiling Water, Cream, and Chives
Carefully pour 4 cups of boiling water over the potato mixture in the bowl. Make sure the boiling water evenly covers all the potatoes. Then, pour in 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. The heavy cream will add richness and creaminess to the sauce. Take 1 tablespoon of the thinly sliced fresh chives and sprinkle them into the mixture. These chives will infuse the potatoes with a subtle oniony flavor as they bake.
Step 4: Stir and Transfer to Baking Dish
Using a large spoon or spatula, gently stir all the ingredients in the bowl until they are well combined. Ensure that the sauce mix is dissolved and evenly distributed throughout the potatoes, ham, and peas. The potatoes should be submerged in the liquid mixture. Once everything is thoroughly mixed, pour the entire potato mixture into the prepared 13×9-inch baking dish. Spread the mixture evenly in the dish to ensure consistent cooking and browning. A uniform layer will help the potatoes bake at the same rate and prevent some parts from being overcooked or undercooked.
Step 5: Top with Cheese and Bake
Sprinkle the shredded white cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the potato mixture in the baking dish. Make sure to cover the entire surface with a generous layer of cheese. The cheese will melt and create a delicious golden brown crust as the potatoes bake. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven set at 450°F (232°C). Bake for 33 to 35 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and bubbly, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so it’s always a good idea to check for doneness towards the end of the baking time. The potatoes are ready when they are easily pierced with a fork and the cheese is melted and nicely browned.
Step 6: Let Stand and Garnish
Once the scalloped potatoes are baked to golden perfection, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the dish stand for 5 minutes before serving. This resting time is crucial as it allows the sauce to thicken further as it cools slightly. During this time, the starches in the potato sauce will gelatinize, creating a richer and creamier texture. Finally, garnish the Creamy Scalloped Potatoes with Ham and Peas with the remaining 1 tablespoon of fresh chives. Sprinkle them over the top for a final touch of flavor and visual appeal. The fresh chives add a pop of color and a subtle herbaceous note that complements the richness of the dish. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 450-550
- Sugar: 5-7 grams
- Sodium: 700-900mg
- Fat: 30-40 grams
- Carbohydrates: 35-45 grams
- Fiber: 2-3 grams
- Protein: 15-20 grams
- Cholesterol: 100-150mg