Idaho® Potatoes in Ham Cups

Ingredients

• 1½ cups Idaho® potato flakes or buds (or 2½ cups leftover mashed potatoes)
• 1.25-ounce package cheese sauce mix
• 10-ounce package frozen mixed vegetables
• ¼ – ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 8-ounce package round ham slices (8 slices)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In a medium saucepan, over medium high heat, bring 2½ cups water to boiling. Remove from heat and whisk in cheese sauce mix and potato flakes. Allow mixture to sit 2 minutes, then whisk again until smooth.
3. Prepare frozen vegetables according to package directions, until crisp-tender (do not overcook). Stir drained vegetables into potato mixture; mix in pepper.
4. Place one slice of ham into 8 muffin cups or custard cups; press down slightly to mold the ham into a “cup” shape. Spoon potato mixture into the ham cups, dividing evenly.
5. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Loosen ham around the edges with a small spatula before lifting them out of the cups. *If using leftover mashed potatoes, stir cheese sauce mix into ½ cup hot water. Whisk the cheese mixture into the mashed potatoes, then stir in vegetables and pepper. Proceed with Step 4 above.