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Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

The ultimate hands-off comfort food. Tender potatoes and savory ham cook low and slow in a rich, creamy, cheesy sauce for a foolproof casserole.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

Casserole Layers
  • 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and thinly sliced (1/8-inch)
  • 1.5 cups cooked ham diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese can sub with more cheddar
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese for optional topping
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter cubed, plus more for greasing
Cream Sauce
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt adjust for ham saltiness
Garnish
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives or parsley chopped

Equipment

  • 6-Quart or Larger Slow Cooker
  • Mandoline or sharp knife
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Cheese Grater

Method
 

  1. Grease the interior of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker generously with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together heavy cream, milk, garlic, flour, thyme, paprika, nutmeg, pepper, and salt until smooth and no flour lumps remain.
  3. Layer 1/3 of the potatoes, 1/3 of the onion, and 1/3 of the ham in the slow cooker. Pour 1/3 of the cream mixture over top. Sprinkle with 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
  4. Repeat layers twice more: potatoes, onion, ham, cream mixture, cheddar cheese (for second layer only).
  5. For the final top layer, after adding the last of the cream mixture, combine the remaining 1 cup cheddar with the Gruyère cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole. Dot the top with cubed butter.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are tender and sauce is bubbly. Avoid lifting the lid.
  7. Optional browning: Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and broil for 3-5 minutes until golden, or let cook uncovered on HIGH for last 30 minutes.
  8. Let the casserole rest, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes to thicken. Garnish with fresh chives before serving.

Notes

For best results, slice potatoes uniformly thin (use a mandoline). Shred cheese from a block for smoother melting. Resting time is crucial for proper thickness. Leftovers reheat well.