Creamy & Cheesy Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes with Ham: The Ultimate Comfort Side

Transform your holiday meals and weeknight dinners with our incredibly easy and satisfying slow cooker scalloped potatoes with ham. This recipe is an absolute game-changer, especially when your oven is at capacity during the festive season. While classic crockpot ham and potatoes are always a hit, this version elevates comfort food to new heights with its luscious, super cheesy sauce. It’s a truly perfect bowl of warmth and flavor that you’ll want to enjoy all year round.

Are you searching for a decadent, creamy side dish that simplifies your holiday preparations, or perhaps an ingenious way to utilize leftover ham after a big family meal? Look no further! This year, we’ve perfected a recipe that not only delivers incredible flavor but also keeps your dish perfectly warm and ready for guests (or yourself!) in your trusty slow cooker. It’s undeniably one of our favorite easy crockpot recipes, streamlining your cooking process without sacrificing taste.

While the ham adds a delightful savory depth, you can certainly prepare these potatoes without meat for a vegetarian option. However, incorporating diced ham truly makes this one of our top leftover ham recipes, ideal for repurposing post-Christmas or Easter hams. The smoky, salty notes of the ham infuse the potatoes with an exceptional flavor, transforming what could be just a side into a hearty dish that almost stands alone as a complete meal the day after.

One of the best aspects of these potatoes is the opportunity to load them up with generous amounts of cheese. Forget dry, bland casseroles – we’re aiming for maximum cheesiness! For the most complex flavor profile, we recommend using a variety of cheeses. Cheddar is a classic, but don’t hesitate to experiment with different types based on what you have on hand. For those needing a dairy-free option, excellent plant-based shredded cheeses, such as those from the Daiya brand, work wonderfully to achieve that creamy, comforting texture without compromise.

Imagine the stress relief during the busy holiday season when you can remove one major dish from your oven’s demanding schedule. This slow cooker recipe allows you to prep your thinly sliced potatoes and all other ingredients, then simply set it and forget it. Your cheesy potato masterpiece will be perfectly cooked and maintained at an ideal serving temperature until everyone is ready to gather around the table. No more juggling oven racks or worrying about keeping dishes warm!

There’s truly nothing worse than meticulously preparing multiple dishes, only to realize your oven is completely full, leaving no space to cook everything simultaneously while keeping it warm. These situations highlight the invaluable help a slow cooker provides. Beyond freeing up oven space, a crockpot ensures your scalloped potatoes are consistently cooked to perfection, developing a rich, uniform flavor and tender texture that’s hard to achieve any other way. You could even utilize your Instant Pot for other potato dishes, like Instant Pot mashed potatoes, to further optimize your kitchen workflow.

Why Choose the Slow Cooker for Scalloped Potatoes?

The slow cooker isn’t just about convenience; it’s about culinary magic for dishes like scalloped potatoes. Here’s why it’s the perfect choice:

• Unbeatable Texture: The low and slow cooking process ensures that the potatoes become incredibly tender, almost melting in your mouth, while the creamy sauce thickens beautifully without scorching.
• Even Cooking: Unlike oven-baked casseroles where edges might brown too quickly or the center remains undercooked, a slow cooker provides consistent heat, resulting in a uniformly cooked dish.
• Hands-Off Approach: Simply layer your ingredients, set the timer, and walk away. This frees up your time to focus on other tasks, whether it’s preparing other dishes, spending time with family, or simply relaxing.
• Keeps Warm Effortlessly: The “keep warm” setting on most slow cookers is ideal for serving. Your scalloped potatoes will stay hot and delicious for hours, perfect for holiday buffets or staggered mealtimes.
• Oven Space Saver: This is a massive advantage during holidays when oven real estate is prime. Dedicating your scalloped potatoes to the slow cooker means more room for roasts, pies, and other baked delights.

Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

Do you have to boil potatoes before slow cooking?

Absolutely not! That’s one of the fantastic advantages of this slow cooker recipe – no pre-cooking required for the potatoes or any other ingredients. Whether you choose Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, simply slice them thinly and uniformly. The slow cooking process will ensure they become perfectly tender. The biggest tip for success here is consistency: make sure all your slices or chunks are roughly the same size so they cook evenly and become tender at the same time. This simple step is crucial for achieving that desirable creamy texture throughout the dish.

Essential Ingredient Notes for Perfect Scalloped Potatoes

Crafting the perfect slow cooker scalloped potatoes with ham starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

1. Potatoes: As mentioned, Russet potatoes are highly recommended. Their high starch content breaks down beautifully, contributing to the creamy consistency of the sauce. Yukon Gold potatoes are a fantastic alternative, offering a slightly waxier texture and a naturally buttery flavor.
2. Cheese: A blend of cheeses truly makes this dish shine. Sharp cheddar provides a robust, tangy flavor, while Monterey Jack (or a similar mild, melty cheese) ensures a smooth, gooey texture. Pre-shredded cheese works for convenience, but freshly shredded cheese often melts more smoothly.
3. Onion: Diced yellow or white onion adds an aromatic base and a subtle sweetness that complements the savory ham and potatoes. If you’re not an onion fan, you can certainly omit it or use a milder alternative like green onions.
4. Cream of Potato Soup: This canned, condensed soup (like Campbell’s) forms the core of our rich and creamy sauce. It’s a quick and easy way to achieve that classic scalloped potato texture without making a béchamel from scratch.
5. Garlic Powder: While optional, a touch of garlic powder introduces an extra layer of savory flavor that enhances the overall taste profile. Adjust to your preference.
6. Salt and Pepper: These fundamental seasonings are crucial for bringing out the best in all the ingredients. Season generously in the pot and be sure to taste and adjust before serving.
7. Ham: Leftover cooked ham, diced into small cubes, is perfect for this recipe. Its salty, smoky notes are a wonderful contrast to the creamy potatoes and cheese.
8. Water: Used to thin out the condensed soup and create the ideal consistency for the sauce, ensuring the potatoes cook through evenly and are bathed in flavor.
9. Green Onions: A fresh garnish that adds a vibrant color and a mild oniony bite, providing a refreshing finish to a rich dish.

Creative Variations and Easy Substitutions

This slow cooker scalloped potato recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your taste or dietary needs. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Make it a Main Dish: To transform this into a heartier main course, feel free to increase the amount of diced, pre-cooked meat. Besides ham, cooked chicken (shredded or diced), crispy bacon, or even sausage can be excellent additions. If serving as a side, it pairs beautifully with almost any protein.
• Dairy-Free Delight: For those avoiding lactose, creating Dairy Free Scalloped Potatoes is surprisingly simple. Replace regular cheeses with plant-based shredded cheese alternatives (like Daiya or Violife) and use a dairy-free condensed cream of mushroom or celery soup, or make your own dairy-free cream sauce with plant-based milk. The taste and texture can come remarkably close to the traditional version.
• Cheese Exploration: Don’t limit yourself to just cheddar and Jack! Experiment with Gruyère for a nutty depth, smoked Gouda for a richer flavor, or even a hint of Parmesan for an umami boost.
• Spice it Up: A pinch of cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or a dash of hot sauce can add an exciting warmth to the dish.
• Soup Swaps: If cream of potato soup isn’t available, you can substitute with a can of condensed cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup. They all provide a creamy base that works well for this casserole. For a homemade touch, you could even make homemade cream of mushroom soup.
• Add Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and texture by incorporating finely diced bell peppers, spinach, or even some frozen peas towards the end of cooking.
• Herb Infusion: Fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley can add an aromatic dimension to the dish. Stir them in with the other seasonings.

If you’re catering to a large crowd and have multiple slow cookers at your disposal, consider offering a variety. You could make this cheesy scalloped ham and potatoes in one and dedicate another to a lighter option like slow cooker mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes can be made healthier by skipping heavy cream and using low-fat milk with a touch of butter, providing a balanced selection for your guests.

5 from 5 votes

Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes with Ham Recipe

By
Justine

These cheesy Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes are your ideal companion for busy holidays or any time you crave a comforting, easy side dish. They’re guaranteed to be a family favorite year-round.

Prep:

15
mins

Cook:

4
hrs

Total:

4
hrs
15
mins

Servings:
8

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Equipment

• 1 slow cooker (6-quart or larger recommended)

Ingredients

• 3 lbs potatoes, peeled and sliced thin (Russets or Yukon Gold recommended)
• 1 cup water
• 1 small onion, diced (yellow or white)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (sharp or mild)
• 1 cup ham, diced (pre-cooked, like leftover holiday ham)
• 1 can cream of potato soup (condensed, 10.5 oz)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 whole green onions, diced, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Carefully layer half of your thinly sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour 1/2 cup of water over this first layer.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the diced onions, shredded cheddar cheese, diced ham, cream of potato soup, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and the remaining 1/2 cup of water. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until well combined, creating a thick, creamy sauce.
4. Spread the cheese and ham mixture evenly over the potato layer in the slow cooker. Top with the remaining potato slices. Cover your slow cooker with its lid and cook on high for 4 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker and potato thickness.
5. Once cooked, gently stir to distribute the sauce and potatoes evenly. Serve immediately and garnish generously with fresh diced green onions for a burst of color and flavor.

Nutrition

Serving:
2
oz
,

Calories:
131
kcal
,

Carbohydrates:
6
g
,

Protein:
8
g
,

Fat:
8
g
,

Saturated Fat:
4
g
,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g
,

Monounsaturated Fat:
3
g
,

Cholesterol:
27
mg
,

Sodium:
824
mg
,

Potassium:
137
mg
,

Fiber:
1
g
,

Sugar:
1
g
,

Vitamin A:
198
IU
,

Vitamin C:
2
mg
,

Calcium:
114
mg
,

Iron:
0.4
mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary.

Additional Info

Course:
Breakfast, Side Dish

Cuisine:
American

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How to Save and Store Leftover Scalloped Potatoes

If you’re lucky enough to have any of these delicious scalloped potatoes left over, they reheat beautifully, making for a fantastic second meal! Proper storage is key to maintaining their deliciousness and moist texture. Always allow your food to cool down completely to room temperature before refrigerating. This prevents condensation and keeps bacteria from growing. Transfer the cooled potatoes to an airtight container with a sealed lid, or use a heavy-duty freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible. Stored correctly in the refrigerator, they will remain fresh and tasty for up to 3 days.

Creative Ways to Revive Scalloped Potatoes

Reheating scalloped potatoes is straightforward, but you can also get creative with your leftovers! For a quick reheat, simply microwave individual portions for about 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through, and enjoy them as is for another comforting meal. The microwave method is perfect for a fast lunch or dinner.

Another fantastic idea is to transform them into a unique and flavorful leftover scalloped potato soup! This is surprisingly easy to do on your stovetop. Simply combine your leftover scalloped potatoes in a small saucepan with a bit of chicken or vegetable broth. For an even creamier soup, you can add a splash of heavy cream or milk. Gently heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s warmed to your liking and the ingredients are well incorporated.

Once heated, remove the pan from the heat and use an immersion blender to achieve your desired soup consistency. Start with a low setting to break down the larger potato pieces and create a smoother texture. Be careful not to over-blend if you prefer some small potato chunks. Serve this delightful, creamy soup with a crusty roll for a satisfying lunch or a light dinner the next day. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a completely new dish from your leftovers!

Don’t forget to explore our other easy crockpot recipes for more inspiration! If you purchase a double batch of potatoes, you can whip up delicious slow cooker chicken and potatoes or even a simple potato soup throughout the week, maximizing your ingredients and minimizing effort.