This Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham recipe is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender potatoes, savory ham, and a creamy mushroom sauce. With the convenience of the slow cooker, you can prepare this dish for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or just a cozy weeknight meal. It’s a cheesy, hearty, and flavorful dish that will satisfy everyone’s hunger.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 3 lbs Russet potatoes, sliced

• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt

• 1 yellow onion, sliced

• 3 cups cooked ham, cubed

• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

• 1 cup milk

• 1 tsp fresh thyme

• ½ tsp ground black pepper

• Non-stick cooking spray

• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

1. Lightly grease the inside of the Crockpot with cooking spray.

2. Toss the sliced potatoes with salt and layer half of them at the bottom of the slow cooker.

3. Add a layer of onions, followed by cubed ham and shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.

4. In a mixing bowl, combine the mushroom soup, milk, thyme, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the layered potatoes.

5. Cover and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours or on Low for 6 to 8 hours, until the potatoes are tender.

6. Top with chopped green onions before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrients

• Calories: 209 per serving

• Carbohydrates: 43g

• Protein: 7g

• Fat: 2g

• Saturated Fat: 1g

• Sodium: 289mg

• Potassium: 987mg

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 3g

• Vitamin A: 35 IU

• Vitamin C: 13mg

• Calcium: 57mg

• Iron: 2mg

The Heartiness of Potatoes and Ham

Potatoes and ham are a classic pairing, and for good reason. The hearty, starchy potatoes provide a filling base for the dish, while the savory, slightly salty ham adds a rich depth of flavor. The potatoes absorb the flavors of the sauce and seasonings as they cook, becoming tender and infused with the creamy mushroom sauce, while the ham breaks down into the dish, providing bursts of savory goodness in every bite.

Russet potatoes are the best choice for this recipe, as they have a high starch content that makes them perfect for slow cooking. The potatoes break down slightly as they cook, creating a soft, creamy texture that complements the other ingredients. The ham, whether leftover from a holiday meal or freshly cooked, brings a wonderful saltiness and meaty texture that elevates the overall dish, adding both flavor and substance.

Together, the potatoes and ham create a balanced meal that is satisfying and comforting, making this dish a perfect choice for family meals or gatherings. The combination of the two ingredients ensures that this dish is hearty enough to be served as a main course or as a substantial side to accompany other dishes.

The Creamy Mushroom Sauce: A Key Flavor Component

The creamy mushroom sauce is one of the key components that makes this Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham so irresistible. The combination of condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, and seasonings creates a rich and smooth sauce that envelopes the potatoes and ham, binding everything together in a creamy, comforting coating.

The mushroom soup provides a savory base, and its rich, earthy flavor complements the potatoes and ham perfectly. The addition of milk helps to thin out the sauce slightly, ensuring that it coats the potatoes evenly while also contributing to the creaminess. The fresh thyme and ground black pepper add subtle herbal and peppery notes, further enhancing the depth of flavor in the sauce.

The beauty of the sauce lies in its simplicity—by using canned cream of mushroom soup, you can achieve a creamy, flavorful result with minimal effort. This not only makes the dish incredibly easy to prepare, but it also ensures that the flavor is rich and satisfying without the need for complicated ingredients or techniques.

Slow Cooker Convenience: Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor

One of the standout features of this recipe is the use of the Crockpot, which allows you to prepare the dish with minimal hands-on time. Once you’ve layered the ingredients into the slow cooker, all that’s left to do is set it and forget it. The slow cooker does all the work, allowing the flavors to meld together and the potatoes to cook to perfection while you go about your day.

The slow cooking process is ideal for this dish because it allows the potatoes to become tender and absorb the flavors of the broth and seasonings. The long, gentle cooking time also ensures that the ham becomes perfectly integrated into the stew, with the meat breaking down into the sauce, infusing it with rich flavor. The result is a creamy, hearty dish that requires very little active cooking time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

The slow cooker also ensures that this dish is a one-pot meal, making cleanup quick and easy. With just a single pot to wash, you can enjoy your delicious meal without the hassle of doing a ton of dishes afterward. This convenience, combined with the rich flavors of the dish, makes Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham a fantastic choice for any cook looking for a stress-free, comforting meal.

Customizing Your Dish

One of the things that makes Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham so great is its versatility. While the recipe calls for specific ingredients, there are many ways you can adapt it to suit your preferences or dietary needs. For example, if you prefer a more indulgent dish, you could add extra cheese, or even experiment with different types of cheese, such as Gruyère or Monterey Jack, to change the flavor profile.

If you’re looking for a healthier version, you can reduce the amount of cheese or substitute lower-fat versions of the ingredients, such as using a lighter soup or opting for a lower-fat milk. You could also use a leaner cut of ham or substitute it with turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.

For those who want to add more vegetables, there are plenty of options. You could toss in some peas, broccoli, or spinach to increase the nutritional content and add extra flavor and color to the dish. Adding garlic or other fresh herbs, such as rosemary or oregano, can also help to enhance the flavor, giving it a personalized touch.

The dish is also easily adaptable for those following vegetarian or plant-based diets. You can omit the ham and replace it with plant-based meat alternatives or even add extra mushrooms to enhance the earthy flavors. The creamy mushroom sauce is already quite rich, so it can easily stand on its own without the need for meat.

Serving Suggestions for Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham is a dish that stands well on its own but can also be paired with a variety of sides to create a more complete meal. The richness of the potatoes and the savory ham make this dish filling enough to serve as a main course, but it also pairs wonderfully with a light salad or some steamed vegetables to balance out the richness.

For a more traditional comfort meal, serve it with a simple side of green beans, corn on the cob, or a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess of the potatoes. Crusty bread is also a great option for soaking up the delicious sauce, providing a satisfying contrast to the soft potatoes and ham.

If you’re serving this dish as part of a larger spread for a holiday meal or gathering, it works wonderfully alongside roast turkey, grilled meats, or other festive side dishes such as stuffing, roasted vegetables, or macaroni and cheese.

A Hearty Meal for Every Occasion

Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, a holiday gathering, or just a cozy meal for yourself, Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham is a versatile dish that’s sure to satisfy. The combination of creamy potatoes, savory ham, and rich broth creates a meal that is both filling and flavorful, making it perfect for cold days or occasions when you want a comforting dish that everyone will love.

The simplicity of the recipe, combined with the convenience of the slow cooker, makes this dish ideal for busy families or anyone looking for a stress-free, hearty meal. The creamy texture, savory flavors, and tender meat make it a dish that appeals to both kids and adults alike, ensuring that it will be a hit at the dinner table.

Conclusion: A Simple, Flavorful, and Satisfying Dish

Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham is a comforting, flavorful, and incredibly easy-to-make dish that will quickly become a family favorite. With its creamy texture, savory ham, and tender potatoes, this slow-cooked dish is the perfect solution for busy nights, holiday gatherings, or whenever you crave something hearty and satisfying. The slow cooker method allows the flavors to develop and the ingredients to meld together, creating a rich and deeply flavorful dish with minimal effort.

This recipe is highly adaptable, allowing you to make it your own with different cheeses, seasonings, and vegetables. Whether you’re looking for a more indulgent version or a lighter alternative, this dish can be customized to fit your dietary preferences. Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham is a dish that’s easy to prepare, easy to serve, and most importantly, easy to enjoy.