Easy Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes (Printable)
Tender potatoes and smoky kielbasa layered in creamy cheddar sauce, slow-cooked to cheesy perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce & Dairy
05 - 2 cups half-and-half or whole milk
06 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
08 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
09 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
# How to Prepare:
01 - Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with butter or non-stick spray.
02 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add garlic and onion; sauté 2-3 minutes until soft.
03 - Whisk in cornstarch; cook for 1 minute, then slowly add half-and-half and chicken broth, whisking until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - Stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme, stirring until cheese melts.
05 - Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with half the kielbasa and half the sauce. Repeat layers with remaining potatoes, kielbasa, and sauce.
06 - Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, or until potatoes are fork-tender.
07 - Sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup cheddar over the top during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
08 - Let sit 10 minutes before serving for the sauce to thicken.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The hands off time means you can binge watch a show or run errands while dinner basically makes itself
- Leftovers reheat beautifully and honestly taste even better the next day
02 -
- Resist the urge to lift the lid too often, every peek adds about 15 minutes to your cooking time
- The 10 minute rest period seems annoying but the sauce needs that time to set up or you will end up with soupy potatoes
03 -
- A pinch of cayenne in the sauce adds subtle warmth that cuts through all the richness
- Thinner potato slices mean faster cooking, but do not go paper thin or they will disappear completely