Welcome to the ultimate guide for preparing a truly comforting and effortless meal: Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and Ham. This beloved dish, a perfect blend of tender potatoes, savory ham, and a rich, creamy sauce, is an absolute game-changer for busy weeknights and an invaluable asset during holiday feasts. While it’s famously ideal for transforming leftover ham into something spectacular, its deliciousness earns it a permanent spot on any special occasion table. Imagine creamy, cheesy potatoes infused with smoky ham, all cooked to perfection without occupying precious oven space – that’s the magic of this crockpot classic.
The Ultimate Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Recipe: A Holiday and Weeknight Favorite
The period following major holidays often brings with it the delightful, yet sometimes daunting, task of utilizing leftover ham. We affectionately call these the “leftover ham days.” After hosting a large gathering, or perhaps several, you might find your refrigerator and freezer brimming with ham, and the thought of another ham sandwich just doesn’t quite spark joy. This is precisely where our Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham recipe shines. It offers a fresh, exciting, and incredibly satisfying way to repurpose that holiday ham into a hearty, family-friendly meal that everyone will adore.
One of the most significant advantages of this recipe is its reliance on the slow cooker. This kitchen workhorse allows you to prepare a gourmet-tasting meal with minimal effort and, crucially, without monopolizing your oven. During the holidays, when oven space is a precious commodity, a slow cooker becomes your best friend. You can set it, forget it for a few hours, and let it work its magic, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful and satisfying casserole. This hands-off approach frees you up to focus on other aspects of your meal preparation or, better yet, spend quality time with your loved ones. We’ve all been there: juggling multiple dishes, trying to time everything perfectly, and navigating a bustling kitchen. The slow cooker eliminates that stress entirely, making cooking a pleasure rather than a chore.
Beyond just using leftover ham, the slow cooker can also be your secret weapon for cooking the ham itself. Preparing a crockpot ham yields an incredibly moist and succulent result with very little fuss. Imagine slicing into a perfectly cooked ham that has absorbed all the delicious flavors of its slow-cooked juices – it’s a revelation!
Our post-holiday culinary mission is always to discover innovative recipes that extend beyond the usual ham sandwiches or omelets. While these are perfectly fine, there’s a limit to how many you can enjoy before craving something different. This scalloped potato and ham recipe is a fantastic way to break that monotony, offering a complete and fulfilling meal that feels special every time.
Why This Recipe Is a Must-Try
This easy crockpot ham and potato casserole is more than just a way to use up leftovers; it’s a celebration of comfort food. The combination of creamy, tender potatoes and savory ham, all blanketed in melted cheese, creates an irresistible texture and flavor profile. It’s the kind of meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to any table, whether it’s a bustling holiday dinner or a quiet family evening. The simplicity of preparation means even novice cooks can achieve fantastic results, making it a go-to recipe for any occasion.
Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
Achieving that perfect balance of tender potatoes and a rich, creamy sauce in your slow cooker is simpler than you might think. Here are a few expert tips to ensure your creamy scalloped potatoes turn out perfectly every time:
- Potato Choice and Preparation: Russet potatoes are excellent for scalloped dishes because their starch content helps create a thick, creamy sauce. Ensure you slice them as uniformly as possible, about ⅛ to ¼ inch thick. A mandoline slicer can be a great investment for this, providing consistent slices that cook evenly. Uneven slices can lead to some potatoes being undercooked while others are mushy.
- The Creamy Base: Cream of mushroom soup forms the backbone of our creamy sauce. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a dash of garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of dried thyme to the soup mixture before layering. If you prefer a lighter option, cream of chicken soup can also work, or you can even create a homemade béchamel sauce for a truly indulgent touch.
- Ham Quality Matters: While this recipe is fantastic for leftover ham, using a good quality ham steak (diced) will also yield excellent results. The smoky, salty flavor of ham perfectly complements the rich potatoes and cheese.
- Layering for Success: The layering technique is crucial. Start with potatoes, then ham, then cheese. Repeat this process until all ingredients are used, ending with a final layer of potatoes and cheese. This ensures an even distribution of flavor and helps the cheese melt beautifully throughout the dish. Lining your slow cooker with parchment paper is also highly recommended for effortless cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Thickening the Sauce: If your sauce seems a little thin towards the end of cooking, don’t worry! A cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with an equal amount of cold water) can easily fix this. Stir it into the hot liquid during the last 30 minutes of cooking, and it will thicken beautifully. Ensure you mix the cornstarch thoroughly with cold water before adding it to avoid lumps.
- Cheese Meltdown: For that irresistible golden, bubbly cheese crust, add the final portion of shredded cheddar cheese about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time. This allows it to melt perfectly without getting overcooked or crispy.
This dish isn’t just a delicious standalone meal; it also pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. A simple green salad or some steamed vegetables can balance the richness of the potatoes and ham, creating a well-rounded and delightful meal.
More Delicious Leftover Ham Recipes
If you’re still looking for creative ways to use that leftover ham, we have plenty of other fantastic options:
- Ham and Potato Crockpot Soup: A warm and hearty soup perfect for chilly days.
- Ham and Cheese Sliders: Irresistible mini sandwiches ideal for appetizers or a light meal.
- Mac and Cheese with Ham: Elevate your classic mac and cheese with savory ham.
- Crockpot Ham and Cheese Grits: A comforting breakfast or brunch option.
- Ham and Swiss Casserole: A cheesy, flavorful bake that’s quick to assemble.
- Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup: Another classic slow cooker recipe that maximizes ham flavor.
For those who appreciate the convenience and flavor of slow cooking, explore our wide array of easy slow cooker side dish recipes. And if you’re generally seeking new culinary adventures, dive into our collections of copycat recipes, tempting dessert recipes, and an extensive library of CrockPot Recipes.
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Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Recipe
Delicious Slow Cooker Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Recipe is great for holidays or when you need to use leftover ham.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 745 kcal
Author: Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 6 Russet Potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ pound ham, DICED
- 10 ¾ oz Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 ¼ cup Water
- 2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (1.5 for layering, .5 for melting over the top)
- 2 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoon Water
Instructions
- Place a layer of potatoes on a parchment lined slow cooker bowl.
- Top with a small layer of ham.
- Top with a layer of cheese.
- Continue this layering until you run out of ingredients.
- Cook on high for 5 – 6 hours or until the potatoes are tender.
- ½ hour before finishing, top with remaining ½ cup of cheddar.
- When cheese has melted, slice the potatoes in a pie shape to serve, or simply scoop it out onto plates.
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
- Vegetable Chopper
- Parchment Paper
Nutrition Facts
Calories from Fat 243