Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes with Ham Recipe

Potatoes: Thinly sliced to ensure they cook evenly and become tender.

Onion: Adds a sweet and savory flavor to the dish.

Ham: Provides a salty, meaty contrast to the creamy potatoes.

Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Creates a rich, creamy base for the sauce.

Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into the dish, adding a cheesy goodness.

Milk: Helps to thin out the soup and create a smooth sauce.

Pepper: Adds a touch of spice to balance the flavors.

When slicing the potatoes, aim for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking. A mandoline slicer can be particularly helpful for achieving consistent slices. This not only helps the potatoes cook evenly but also enhances the overall texture of the dish.

• thinly sliced potatoes - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes add a unique flavor and a touch of sweetness to the dish.

• thinly sliced potatoes - Substitute with cauliflower florets: Cauliflower provides a lower-carb alternative while maintaining a similar texture.

• chopped onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a milder, slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions.

• chopped onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a more delicate and subtle onion flavor.

• diced ham - Substitute with bacon: Bacon adds a smoky flavor and a crispy texture.

• diced ham - Substitute with smoked turkey: Smoked turkey offers a similar texture and a slightly different smoky flavor.

• condensed cream of mushroom soup - Substitute with condensed cream of chicken soup: Cream of chicken soup provides a similar creamy consistency with a different flavor profile.

• condensed cream of mushroom soup - Substitute with homemade béchamel sauce: A béchamel sauce made with butter, flour, and milk can replace the creaminess of the soup.

• shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with gruyère cheese: Gruyère cheese melts well and adds a nutty flavor.

• shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella provides a milder flavor and a stretchy, gooey texture.

• milk - Substitute with heavy cream: Heavy cream adds extra richness and creaminess to the dish.

• milk - Substitute with unsweetened almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative that maintains the liquid consistency.

• pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a milder heat and a slightly different flavor profile.

• pepper - Substitute with paprika: Paprika adds a mild heat and a subtle smoky flavor.

• Allow the scalloped potatoes to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the cooled potatoes and ham mixture into an airtight container. For best results, use a shallow container to ensure even cooling and reheating.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent any odors from seeping in.
• For freezing, portion the scalloped potatoes into individual servings. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
• Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of storage time.
• Freeze for up to 2-3 months. The potatoes and ham will maintain their quality best within this time frame.
• To reheat, thaw the desired portion in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the potatoes.
• Reheat in the microwave or oven. For the microwave, use a microwave-safe dish and cover loosely to prevent drying out. Heat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
• For oven reheating, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the scalloped potatoes in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake for about 20-30 minutes or until heated through.
• If the dish seems dry, add a splash of milk or cream before reheating to restore some of the original creaminess.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the leftover scalloped potatoes with ham into an oven-safe dish. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

• For a quicker method, use the microwave. Place a portion of the scalloped potatoes in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

• If you prefer a stovetop method, use a non-stick skillet. Add a small amount of milk or cream to the skillet to prevent sticking. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are warmed through.

• For an air fryer, preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftovers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• To retain the creamy texture, consider reheating in a slow cooker. Transfer the leftovers back into the slow cooker. Set to low and heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally until warmed through.

• Slow cooker: A countertop electrical cooking appliance used for simmering at a lower temperature than other cooking methods.

• Knife: Essential for slicing the potatoes thinly and chopping the onion and ham.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting the potatoes, onion, and ham.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the exact amount of potatoes, milk, and cheese.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the pepper accurately.

• Mixing bowl: Useful for combining the milk with the soup before layering.

• Spatula: Helps in spreading the soup evenly over the layers.

• Cheese grater: Used to shred the cheddar cheese if it is not pre-shredded.

• Can opener: Required to open the can of condensed cream of mushroom soup.

Use pre-sliced potatoes: Save time by using pre-sliced potatoes available in the grocery store.

Pre-chop ingredients: Chop the onion and ham the night before to streamline your morning prep.

Shredded cheese: Buy pre-shredded cheddar cheese to avoid the extra step of shredding it yourself.

Layer efficiently: Arrange all your ingredients in bowls before starting to layer them in the slow cooker.

Condensed soup: Use condensed cream of mushroom soup directly from the can to skip any mixing steps.

Set and forget: Utilize the slow cooker's timer function to ensure your dish is ready when you need it.