I’m going online to see if you can by the dehydrated potatoes in larger quantities than the small Betty Crocker boxes. I expect you can, but maybe without the sauce packets. Still ... they could come in very handy.
I have kept two cases of these in my pantry and rotate them out. Small containers but great dehydrated potatoes. Many uses. https://www.amazon.com/Idaho-Spuds-Potato-Gluten-Hashbrowns/dp/B079H5B8DQ/ref=asc_df_B079H5B8DQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312065523358&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1793847636607329605&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017451&hvtargid=pla-491914159190&psc=1&mcid=8faf15a442ee32d4bd79cb6d171e33ec&gclid=Cj0KCQiAv8SsBhC7ARIsALIkVT0oN-rKSoqrztF4GQQRzaro64CShHSvSIBeCZo3i_C8Qh9_DCUDj_QaAvoCEALw_wcB
https://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/Potatoes_c_22.html
https://rainydayfoods.com/potato-slices-sp.html
https://www.americanspice.com/potatoes-dehydrated-sliced/
According to Rainy Day, 8 lbs is 5 gallons.
The Idahoan Family Size of Scalloped I have is 7.34 oz which includes the sauce packet I assume.
The sauce packet is actually quite heavy, easily 1/3 of the 7.34 oz which leaves the taters at about 4 oz
4 oz x 4 = 16 oz aka 1 lb
1 lb x the 8 lbs per 5gal bucket would be 32 Family Size Idahoan boxes worth (for $60 for the bucket). $1.89 for box worth.
Harmony House is $100 for 10 lbs. Great American Spice is $65 for 10 lbs.(40 of the 4 oz box qty) $1.65 for the equivalent of potatoes in the Family Sized Scalloped.
None of the above prices include shipping.
Walmart is $3.13 for the Idahoan Family Sized Scalloped.
Harmony House’s $100 for 10 lbs is $10/lb which is what I’ll be paying for NY Strip next time I go shopping.
Be better off buying a dehydrator and growing a bunch of potatoes. Like apple slices, they need to be soaked in ascorbic acid solution right after slicing to prevent browning. Then dehydrate and they’re good through the winter. Probably end up at 50 cents for that family sized box worth of tater slices.
Emergency Essentials has #10 cans of freeze dried diced potatoes, $25 and it’s 14 oz.
All the bulk/prepping food places sell powdered cheese and/or cheese sauce mix. Varying amounts of milk would make it Scalloped, Delmonico, Au Gratin.
The bulk/prepping foods are no longer a deal.
My sister’s recipe (it’s kinda like soup - thick, cheesy potato soup)
Delmonico Potatoes
2 Tbsp butter;
2 Tbsp cornstarch,
2 c milk,
1 small package of velvetta cut into slices.
Melt butter, remove from heat, slowly stir in cornstarch, return to heat, stir in milk, add a few slices of velveeta at a time stirring continuously. Save a few out to top the casserole with.
Add resulting sauce to 2 cans of drained sliced potatoes in 2 qt casserole, top with remaining slices of velveeta, bake at at 350 for 1/2 hour or until browned to your liking.
I don’t know what size a “small package” of velveeta was 30 years ago when I got this recipe. It’s bound to have shrunk since then.
I would think real cheese would work too but you’d probably have to increase the milk.