Quick, Easy and Healthy Potato Recipes from the United States Potato Board

One of the best ways to create healthful meals for your family is to prepare foods that are as close to nature as you can get. For instance, making homemade mashed potatoes from scratch is better for your body than preparing a package of instant potatoes. It is much less expensive, as well. The next time you are grocery shopping, compare the price of a five- or ten-pound sack of potatoes to the cost of a package of processed potatoes, particularly when the fresh potatoes are on sale.

If your days are hectic, though, getting dinner on the table can be a struggle. Who has time for washing, peeling and cooking a bushel of potatoes on a weeknight? Fortunately, you do have some easier options. The United States Potato Board's website is loaded with recipes using fresh potatoes and other wholesome ingredients, including an entire category dedicated to recipes that take 30 minutes or less from prep time to table. Following is a sampling of quick, easy and healthy potato recipes that your whole family will enjoy!

Quick & Healthy Potato Casserole

This dish makes a hearty and delicious side to any type of meat. You can also add other ingredients to this quick, easy and healthy potato recipe to make it a complete, one-dish meal (see the variation suggestions below).

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes, very thinly sliced
• 1 cup quartered and thinly sliced onion
• 1 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
• 1/2 cup stock or reduced-sodium broth
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions:

Spray an 8-inch microwave-safe baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place 1/3 of the potatoes and 1/2 of the onions on the bottom of the dish and sprinkle with 1/3 the cheese and 1/2 the herbs. Repeat layers, then top with the last 1/3 of the potatoes, layering potatoes so that there is a solid layer of potatoes with no gaps; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Stir together stock, Dijon, garlic salt, and pour over the potatoes. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on HIGH for 20 minutes. Use oven mitts to remove dish from microwave; carefully remove cover from dish due to steam build-up and serve. Makes six servings.

Variations

Tex-Mex Potato Casserole

Omit Dijon and garlic salt. Layer potatoes with 1 (4-oz.) can diced green chiles and 1/2 cup canned black beans. Use reduced-fat Cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend. Add 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon dried cilantro and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin to broth. Cook as directed above. Delicious served with avocado wedges.

Irish Corned Beef and Cheese Potato Casserole

Layer potatoes with 1 cup shredded cabbage, 3/4 cup small cubes corned beef or pastrami and 3/4 cup shredded Dubliner or Irish Cheddar cheese, in place of the reduced-fat Cheddar. Omit Italian seasoning and instead stir 1/4 teaspoon dried dill into broth and Dijon mixture. Cook as directed above.

Potato and Egg Casserole

Omit stock and Dijon. Reduce potatoes to 3/4 lb. and place in prepared dish with onions. Cover and microwave on HIGH for 7 minutes. Whisk together 8 eggs, 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt and garlic salt. Stir in cheese and 1/4 cup each: real bacon bits or pieces, diced bell pepper and sliced green onions. Pour over potatoes; cover and microwave on HIGH for 7 minutes more or until eggs are set in the center. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole

You know that fast food is not the best choice for a family dinner, but you need something quick to make that your kids will actually eat. Your family will ask you to make this quick, easy and healthy potato recipe again.

Ingredients:

* 2 medium russet, white or yellow-flesh potatoes or 3-4 small red potatoes
* 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
* 1/4 cup diced dill pickle or dill pickle relish
* 1 pound 85% lean ground beef
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 pinch of black pepper
* 2 tablespoons ketchup
* 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
* 4 slices American cheese

Directions:

Cut potatoes into French fry-size sticks. Spread onion and pickle evenly on bottom of microwave-safe dish. Crumble beef evenly on top. Season with salt and pepper. Blend ketchup and mustard and drizzle over beef. Cover with cheese and scatter potatoes on top.

Cover tightly with lid or plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 15 minutes (cooking time may vary depending on your microwave) or until beef and potatoes are done. Let sit for two minutes. Use oven mitts or tongs to remove from microwave. Remove plastic wrap carefully to prevent burns from steam.

For more quick, easy and healthy potato recipes, be sure to check out the United States Potato Board website, where you can search by category or keyword, watch videos and more.