Makeover Ham ‘n’ Potato Bake

Name: Makeover Ham ‘n’ Potato Bake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients: 2 pounds red potatoes, peeled and cubed; 1 cup chopped onion; 1/2 cup chopped green pepper; 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 2 cans (12 ounces each) fat-free evaporated milk; 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1-1/2 pounds fully cooked lean ham slices, cut into strips; 1 package (16 ounces) frozen sliced carrots, cooked and drained; 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min.

Yield 10 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

This alternative replaced the whole milk with fat-free evaporated milk and used reduced-fat cheddar cheese in place of the sharp cheddar.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

Ingredients

2 pounds red potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cans (12 ounces each) fat-free evaporated milk
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1-1/2 pounds fully cooked lean ham slices, cut into strips
1 package (16 ounces) frozen sliced carrots, cooked and drained
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

Directions

Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain.
Meanwhile in a large nonstick skillet, saute onion and peppers in oil until tender. Stir in the flour, pepper and thyme until blended. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; add 1 cup cheese and mustard. Cook and stir until cheese is melted.
Fold in the potatoes, ham, carrots and parsley. Transfer to a 3-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/4 cups: 316 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 1046mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 4g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat.