It may look like a sad little package shoved in the back of your freezer, but frozen spinach actually has a lot of culinary uses (and some may surprise you).

Ham au gratin made in the crockpot for an effortless dish. The duo of scalloped potatoes and creamy cheddar soup makes this dish a guaranteed hit with cheese lovers.

1 cup milk
1 cup boiling water
1 can (10.75 ounce size) condensed cheddar cheese soup
2 cups diced cooked ham
2 cans (11 ounce size) Mexicorn whole kernel corn, drained
1 package (5 ounce size) cheesy scalloped potatoes mix
Grease a 4-6 quart crock pot. 
 In a bowl, whisk together the milk, water, and cheese soup until blended. Stir in the potatoes. 
 Combine the potato mixture, ham, and corn in the crock pot and stir gently to mix. 
 Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours or until the potatoes are tender.
For a crispy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over the dish before serving.
Vary this recipe by adding your favorite cheeses like sharp cheddar, Gruyere, or pepper jack.
Add a splash of hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce for a tangy kick to the cheesy sauce.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
You can use any type of milk you prefer, whether it's whole milk, 2%, skim, or even a dairy-free alternative like almond milk.
Mexicorn is a canned corn product that contains a mix of whole kernel corn, red and green peppers. You can use regular canned corn if desired.
You can substitute the condensed cheddar cheese soup with another cream-based soup like cream of mushroom or cream of chicken but it won't be as cheesy.
Feel free to add in additional vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or broccoli. You can also sprinkle extra shredded cheese.
You can assemble the ingredients in the crockpot the night before, store it in the refrigerator, and simply start cooking the next day.
Measuring Cup: For accurately measuring the milk, water, and ham needed for the recipe.
	
Whisk: For combining the milk, water, and cheese soup until blended.
	
Crock Pot: Be sure to grease the crock pot before adding the ingredients to prevent sticking.
	
Bowl: For whisking together the milk, water, and cheese soup.
	
Cooking Spoon: Handy for stirring the potato mixture, ham, and corn together in the crock pot.
Roasted Broccoli: The slight bitterness of the broccoli will balance out the rich, creamy flavors of the ham au gratin.
Green Salad with a Tangy Vinaigrette: A light and fresh salad will cut through the richness of the dish, giving you a break from all that cheesy goodness.
Garlic Green Beans: the crunchy texture and slightly bitter flavor of green beans will provide a nice contrast to the rich and creamy ham au gratin. 
Broccoli Salad: add a touch of green to your plate with a crisp and refreshing broccoli salad. It'll make you feel slightly less guilty about indulging in all that cheesy goodness.
It may look like a sad little package shoved in the back of your freezer, but frozen spinach actually has a lot of culinary uses (and some may surprise you).
Keeping a can of frozen orange juice concentrate in the freezer means you can make more than just orange juice. Try it in a variety of orange-flavored recipes.
Pumpkins aren't just for pies or Halloween decorations. These large, orange gourds - while naturally sweet - also work well in savory dishes. They pair well with poultry and pork (and especially bacon) and their creamy-when-cooked texture blends easily into soups.


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reviews & comments
April 26, 2012
My crockpot overcooks things usually so I cooked this on low for less time (5-6 hours). It was really good. I know you could just mix up the potatoes and put the ham in and have a meal done sooner, but the crockpot was very convenient because I needed the stove for other things once dinner was coming together. I'd make this again.