Cyndi’s Casserole–potatoes, ham, carrots and spinach in a spicy white sauce made fast in the Instant Pot.
Cyndi’s Casserole
This recipe is an easy one-pot meal with ham, potatoes, carrots and spinach. It’s a dump and go recipe so it comes together quickly. Plus it uses a short 3 minute pressure cook time. It’s got a little bit of heat from the queso blanco but it’s not overpowering. Serve hot and savor the blend of spicy, savory, and cheesy flavors in every bite!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon chicken base
- Carrots
- Russet potatoes–or red potatoes
- Ham cubes–or smoked sausage
- Onion flakes–I buy the big container from Costco
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Queso blanco dip–this is usually found by the tortilla chips at the grocery store
- Spinach–fresh or frozen
- Mozzarella cheese–I like full fat
Steps
Pour broth into Instant Pot. Add in the carrots, potatoes, ham cubes, onion flakes, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder. Add the queso blanco on top. Don’t stir.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 3 minutes. When time is up, move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
Gently stir in the spinach. Sprinkle the mozzarella on top and let it melt.
Serve and enjoy!
Notes/Tips
- Serve with roasted vegetables, a green salad or coleslaw.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This recipe doesn’t freeze great because the potatoes get broken down.
- The queso blanco is a bit spicy. I couldn’t find it in a mild version so I just used medium.
- This recipe can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free queso blanco.
- Other recipes you can make with carrots are Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup and Magic Soup.
- Recipe adapted from Cyndi’s Crazy Casserole.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Cyndi’s Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Potatoes, ham, carrots and spinach in a spicy white sauce made fast in the Instant Pot.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
- 1 1/2 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 8 ounces ham cubes
- 1 Tbsp onion flakes
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup queso blanco dip
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Pour broth into Instant Pot. Add in the carrots, potatoes, ham cubes, onion flakes, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder. Add the queso blanco on top. Don’t stir.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 3 minutes. When time is up, move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Gently stir in the spinach. Sprinkle the mozzarella on top and let it melt.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Category: Ham
- Method: Instant Pot
More Instant Pot recipes with ham…
Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup
Ham and bean soup is a classic after-holiday recipe, using up leftover ham and bones. But it can be made any time with the use of ham steak purchased from the grocery store.
Instant Pot Cheesy Ham Chowder
A creamy, comforting soup that is chock full of ham, potatoes, carrots and corn. A perfect dinner for a fall or winter evening.
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Thinly sliced potatoes and chunks of ham enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce.
Instant Pot Mother’s Ham Casserole
Ham and potatoes in a creamy, cheesy sauce with a hint of spice from green chiles and pepper jack cheese.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
This was delicious & EZ to make! Followed your recipe to the T. Thanks for another keeper. Going to add a cup of thawed green peas next time, per hubby’s request.
Thanks Kim!!
I don’t see how the carrots will be cooked in 3 mins. I Didn’t read it all of it, were the carrots, potatoes partially cooked in advance? 3 mins is just too little.
This is an instant pot recipe, so yes the carrots are very much done in the 3 minute cooking time. They aren’t partially cooked in advance.