Effortless Comfort: Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

Nothing says comfort food quite like a warm, creamy dish of scalloped potatoes. When you add savory ham to the mix, you’ve got a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a chilly evening or a family gathering. And the best part? You can make it all in your slow cooker! This recipe for slow cooker scalloped potatoes with ham is incredibly easy, freeing you up to focus on other things while your dinner practically cooks itself. Let’s dive in and discover how to make this delicious dish.

Why Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes with Ham?

There are several reasons why using a slow cooker for scalloped potatoes with ham is a fantastic idea:

* **Convenience:** The slow cooker does most of the work for you. Simply layer the ingredients, set the timer, and forget about it until dinner time.
* **Even Cooking:** The gentle, consistent heat of the slow cooker ensures that the potatoes cook evenly and become wonderfully tender.
* **Rich Flavor:** The long cooking time allows the flavors of the potatoes, ham, and creamy sauce to meld together beautifully, creating a depth of flavor that’s hard to achieve with other cooking methods.
* **Perfect for Busy Days:** On busy days when you don’t have time to stand over the stove, the slow cooker is a lifesaver. You can prepare the ingredients in the morning and come home to a ready-to-eat meal.
* **Great for Potlucks and Gatherings:** Slow cooker scalloped potatoes with ham are easy to transport and keep warm, making them an ideal dish to bring to potlucks or family gatherings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make this comforting dish:

* **Potatoes:** About 3 pounds of Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes have a naturally creamy texture, while Russet potatoes are starchier and hold their shape well. Feel free to use a combination of both.
* **Ham:** 1 to 1.5 pounds of cooked ham, diced. You can use leftover ham from a holiday meal, a ham steak, or deli ham. Smoked ham adds a delicious smoky flavor.
* **Onion:** 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced. Onion adds depth of flavor and a subtle sweetness to the dish.
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves of garlic, minced. Garlic provides a pungent aroma and enhances the overall flavor.
* **Butter:** 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) of unsalted butter, melted. Butter adds richness and helps to create a creamy sauce.
* **All-Purpose Flour:** 1/4 cup. Flour acts as a thickening agent for the sauce.
* **Milk:** 2 cups. Milk forms the base of the creamy sauce. Whole milk will result in a richer sauce, but you can use 2% milk if you prefer.
* **Heavy Cream:** 1 cup. Heavy cream adds extra richness and creaminess to the sauce. You can substitute half-and-half for a slightly lighter version.
* **Chicken Broth:** 1/2 cup. Chicken broth adds flavor and moisture to the dish.
* **Salt and Black Pepper:** To taste. Season generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
* **Optional Toppings:** Shredded cheddar cheese, chopped fresh parsley, or green onions for garnish.

Equipment You’ll Need

* **Slow Cooker:** A 6-quart or larger slow cooker is recommended.
* **Vegetable Peeler:** For peeling the potatoes.
* **Knife and Cutting Board:** For slicing the potatoes, onions, and ham.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For measuring the ingredients.
* **Whisk:** For whisking the sauce.
* **Mixing Bowl:** For combining the sauce ingredients.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make slow cooker scalloped potatoes with ham:

**1. Prepare the Potatoes:**

* Wash and peel the potatoes. If you are using Russet potatoes, peeling is highly recommended for a smoother texture. Yukon Gold potatoes can be left unpeeled if you prefer a more rustic dish.
* Thinly slice the potatoes. Use a mandoline for uniform slices, or slice them by hand. Aim for slices that are about 1/8 inch thick. Consistent thickness ensures even cooking.
* Place the sliced potatoes in a bowl of cold water to prevent them from browning. This step is optional, but it helps to keep the potatoes looking fresh.

**2. Prepare the Ham and Onion:**

* Dice the cooked ham into bite-sized pieces. Remove any excess fat if desired.
* Thinly slice the onion. You can use a mandoline or slice it by hand. Separate the rings of the onion.
* Mince the garlic. Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor.

**3. Make the Cream Sauce:**

* In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, flour, milk, heavy cream, and chicken broth until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps of flour. The flour helps to thicken the sauce as it cooks.
* Add the minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to the sauce. Adjust the seasonings to your liking.

**4. Layer the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker:**

* Grease the bottom and sides of the slow cooker with cooking spray or butter. This will prevent the potatoes from sticking.
* Layer one-third of the sliced potatoes on the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange them in a slightly overlapping pattern.
* Sprinkle half of the sliced onion and half of the diced ham over the potatoes.
* Pour one-third of the cream sauce over the potatoes, onion, and ham.
* Repeat the layers: potatoes, onion, ham, and cream sauce.
* Top with the remaining potatoes and pour the remaining cream sauce over the top.

**5. Cook the Scalloped Potatoes with Ham:**

* Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The cooking time will vary depending on your slow cooker. The potatoes are done when they are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
* Check the potatoes occasionally during cooking. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little more milk or chicken broth. If the potatoes are browning too quickly on top, cover the slow cooker with a clean kitchen towel to absorb excess moisture.

**6. Add Cheese (Optional):**

* If you want to add cheese, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the potatoes during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Cover the slow cooker to allow the cheese to melt.

**7. Serve and Enjoy:**

* Once the potatoes are cooked through and the sauce is bubbly and thickened, remove the slow cooker lid.
* Let the scalloped potatoes with ham sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow the sauce to thicken further.
* Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions, if desired.
* Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

* **Use a Mandoline:** A mandoline slicer makes quick work of slicing the potatoes and onions evenly. Be careful when using a mandoline and always use the safety guard.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Slow Cooker:** Overcrowding the slow cooker can result in uneven cooking. If you have a small slow cooker, you may need to reduce the recipe or cook it in batches.
* **Adjust the Sauce Thickness:** If the sauce is too thin at the end of the cooking time, you can thicken it by whisking together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stirring it into the slow cooker. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
* **Add Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to the dish, such as sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach. Add them along with the onions and ham.
* **Use Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different cheeses, such as Gruyere, Swiss, or Monterey Jack. These cheeses add a unique flavor and melt beautifully.
* **Make it Spicy:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a touch of heat.
* **Add Herbs:** Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage can add a lovely aroma and flavor to the dish. Add them along with the garlic.
* **Vegetarian Option:** Omit the ham for a vegetarian version of scalloped potatoes. You can add other vegetables, such as mushrooms or zucchini, to make it more substantial.
* **Dairy-Free Option:** Use dairy-free milk and cream alternatives, such as almond milk or coconut cream, to make this dish dairy-free. You may need to adjust the thickness of the sauce with a little cornstarch.

Serving Suggestions

Slow cooker scalloped potatoes with ham are a complete meal on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

* **Green Salad:** A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich and creamy potatoes.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts are a healthy and flavorful side dish.
* **Dinner Rolls:** Warm dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
* **Coleslaw:** Creamy coleslaw adds a cool and tangy element to the meal.
* **Green Beans:** Steamed or sautéed green beans are a classic side dish that complements scalloped potatoes perfectly.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

**Storage:**

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover scalloped potatoes with ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

**Reheating:**

* **Microwave:** Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
* **Oven:** Reheat larger portions in a baking dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. Cover the dish with foil to prevent the potatoes from drying out.
* **Stovetop:** Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until heated through. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth if the potatoes seem dry.

Recipe Card

**Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes with Ham**

A comforting and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for a family meal or potluck.

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 6-8 hours (on low) or 3-4 hours (on high)
**Servings:** 6-8

**Ingredients:**

* 3 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
* 1 to 1.5 pounds cooked ham, diced
* 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 cups milk
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* Salt and black pepper, to taste
* Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, chopped fresh parsley, or green onions

**Instructions:**

1. Prepare the Potatoes: Wash, peel, and thinly slice the potatoes. Place in a bowl of cold water to prevent browning.
2. Prepare the Ham and Onion: Dice the ham and thinly slice the onion. Mince the garlic.
3. Make the Cream Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, flour, milk, heavy cream, and chicken broth until smooth. Add the minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
4. Layer the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Grease the bottom and sides of the slow cooker. Layer one-third of the sliced potatoes, half of the sliced onion, and half of the diced ham. Pour one-third of the cream sauce over the top. Repeat the layers. Top with the remaining potatoes and pour the remaining cream sauce over the top.
5. Cook the Scalloped Potatoes with Ham: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
6. Add Cheese (Optional): Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Cover to melt the cheese.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions, if desired.

**Nutrition Information (approximate, per serving):**

* Calories: 400-500
* Protein: 20-25g
* Fat: 25-30g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g

Conclusion

Slow cooker scalloped potatoes with ham are a comforting and convenient meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a delicious and satisfying dish that your family and friends will love. So, dust off your slow cooker and give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!