Two boxes of scalloped potatoes.
1 package of ham steaks (4 in pack)
Carton of milk
Half stick of butter
Measuring cup
Deep baking pan. 16"x8" or so
Cutting board
Big knife
Set oven to 450 degrees so it can preheat.
Put 4 and 1/2 cups of water into a plastic mixing bowl. Drop your half-stick of butter into it. Microwave it for five minutes. Water gets hot, butter melts.
While that is going, crack open one box of the potatoes, scatter the potato slices along the bottom of the pan.
Put your ham steaks in a stack on a cutting board, dice them up as you prefer. I like leaving them as big bits you can stick a fork into.
Scatter the entirety of the diced ham over the first layer of potatoes.
Empty and scatter the second package of potatoes on top.
Pull that bowl out of the microwave, add the spice packets to the mixture, and add 2/3rd cups of milk. Stir a bit then gently pour over contents in pan.
Bake for 25 minutes at 450 degrees.
Those bits of ham are cheese-infused by the time it's done baking. Serves 6-8 people. Cheap to make, and usually a crowd pleaser.
For half-batch, use one box. 2 and 1/4 cups of water, quarter stick butter, and 1/3rd cup of milk. Use 8" x 8", perfect in a disposable foil baking pan for small parties.
Optional: a very fine amount of Italian seasoning can tweak the flavor. Have not experimented with making a spicy version, but I'm thinking a dash of red pepper and a touch of cumin powder might do the trick before baking.
