Picture this: you’ve had a long, exhausting day, and the last thing you want to think about is dinner. A slow cooker recipe sure would save the day if you’ve got a little time to prep and easy ingredients ready to go.
Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and Ham is the perfect meal to take your day from chaos to cozy.
This easy, no-fuss dish is ideal for busy moms like me who want to feed their family something filling and flavorful without hovering over the stove all evening.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with life’s little messes, this recipe will help you feel in control, serving up a warm, homemade meal your family will love.
Key Takeaways
- Cook Time: High – 4 hours; Low – 6 hours
- Main Ingredients: Potatoes, ham, butter, thyme, rosemary, mustard, and more
- Servings: 6
- Extras: Add cheese, sour cream, or yogurt for extra creaminess
- Tip: Slice potatoes the same thickness as the ham to ensure even cooking and bite-sized pieces for kids
Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
As a busy mom, I don’t have the luxury of spending hours in the kitchen, so I rely on slow cooker meals like this that let me prep in under 10 minutes.
This dish is one of my all-time favorite easy weeknight dinners. You can throw this crockpot scalloped potatoes and ham recipe together in 10 minutes and enjoy the aroma all day while it’s cooking.
The ingredients are usually already in my kitchen and pantry so that I can whip together Scalloped Potatoes and Ham any night of the week.
It might be a bit different than the ham and scalloped potatoes dish your mom used to make, but I’ve tried so many versions and love this one the most.
The key to the flavor is in the rosemary, thyme, and mustard!
Thyme and rosemary work well together to create a comfort food flavor. The mustard kicks it up a notch and works with the ham for a slightly salty touch.
I like to use pre-sliced ham (cooked ham, not raw for this recipe), so it’s easier to get those nice, thin, bite-sized portions. I usually have it on hand for lunch meat (or even lazy ham steaks), and it saves time with how quickly it cuts up compared to a full ham!
Starting with the potatoes, you can use Russet or Yukon gold potatoes- if you use smaller potatoes than that, you’ll want to add 2 or 3 more potatoes to fill up the crock pot!
I try to cut the potatoes to the same thickness as the ham. That’s my little tip that will help you make sure that your potatoes are cooked through and through; plus, it gives your kids bite-sized pieces.
You might be surprised that the potatoes and ham actually get a nice crust, even in the slow cooker. That’s due to the butter working with the sugar in the ham to caramelize to a nice crispy crust.
After prepping the ham and potato slices, I coat my slow cooker with a generous layer of cooking spray. Then, I layer the potatoes and ham, starting with a base of potatoes.
The layers are important because you want all those flavors from the ham to infuse into the sliced potatoes as they cook.
Once that’s done, I whip up a quick butter mixture with onion powder, thyme, rosemary, mustard, and black pepper.
The best part? I walk away. That’s it!
Whether it’s running errands, working, or helping with homework, my slow cooker takes care of the rest. After four hours, the kitchen smells like pure comfort.
Right before serving, I like to sprinkle some shredded cheese on top for extra richness and let it melt over the potatoes.
If I’m feeling indulgent, I’ll stir in some sour cream or yogurt for an extra creamy texture, making it more like au gratin potatoes.
If you’d like an easy comfort food that your family will love, try the Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham!
Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes peeled and cut into 1/4 inch slices
- 1-1.5 pounds ham sliced
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 Tbsp spicy brown mustard
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt Optional
Instructions
- Grease the slow cooker by generously spraying/coating the sides in your preferred oil.
- Layer the potatoes and ham into the pot (I usually start with potatoes on the bottom). Do this until all are used.
- In a small measuring cup, stir together the butter, onion powder, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and mustard. Whisk until no lumps remain.
- Pour the butter mixture over the potatoes and ham in the slow cooker.
- Cover the pot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
- Optional step: You may stir in the sour cream or yogurt for an extra creamy dish.
- Remove the lid and sprinkle the cheese over the top.
- Scoop out your servings, cover with more cheese or sour cream as you like, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to enjoy this dish, making it versatile enough for any dinner plan. Sometimes, we eat it solo; sometimes, we make yummy sides and other times, we make something a bit extra!
One of my go-to ideas is serving these slow cooker scalloped potatoes and ham with a simple side of steamed green beans.
If we’re having a heartier meal, I might serve this with roasted carrots or roasted Brussels sprouts, but you can serve this with whatever veggies your kids like to eat.
If my family is feeling extra hungry, I might whip up a side of fluffy dinner rolls or garlic bread to have on the side. The bread is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce from the scalloped potatoes.
For a lighter option, a fresh garden salad tossed with a simple vinaigrette brings a burst of freshness that complements the savory potatoes.
Another kid-friendly option is pairing this dish with applesauce on the side. My kids love the contrast of the sweet apples with the salty ham, and it’s one less thing to cook.
Other Slow Cooker Recipe
And if you like this one, you might be interested in 40 other slow cooker dump recipes that are AMAZING!
FAQs
Can I use a different type of ham?
Yes, you can swap out the pre-sliced ham for leftover ham or even ham steaks cut into bite-sized pieces.
Just make sure the ham is fully cooked (aka not raw ham), as it won’t have time to cook thoroughly in the slow cooker.
How thin should I slice the potatoes?
I recommend slicing the potatoes about 1/4 inch thick for this ham and scalloped potato recipe.
This ensures they cook through evenly and absorb all the flavors from the ham and spices.
If you like thicker potatoes, you’ll want to add at least 30 minutes to an hour to the cooking time to make sure they’re cooked right.
How do I know when the potatoes are done?
The thinly sliced potatoes should be fork-tender after about 4 hours on high. If you like them softer, let the dish cook a little longer, but 4 hours usually does the trick.
If you cut thicker potatoes, they could need more cook time, which is why I don’t recommend more than 1/4 thickness.
Can I add other vegetables?
Of course! Feel free to toss in some onions, carrots, or even peas for extra texture and flavor.
They will all cook on low in 4 hours, no problem!
Just be mindful that additional vegetables may add a bit of moisture to the dish.
Can I make these into cheesy scalloped potatoes and ham?
Yes, you can easily turn this into a cheesy version by adding cheddar cheese!
Just sprinkle about 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese between the layers of potatoes and ham and a final layer on top before serving for that extra cheesy goodness.
It melts beautifully and adds a rich, creamy texture that, if you mix it with sour cream, makes an almost cheese sauce for the ham and scalloped potatoes.
How do I fix my dish if there’s a lot of liquid or things are too soggy?
If your scalloped potatoes and ham turn out too liquidy or soggy, don’t worry—it’s an easy fix!
One quick solution is to stir in some instant potato flakes to absorb the excess moisture and thicken up the dish.
Start with a tablespoon or two and gradually add more if needed, stirring between each addition to reach your desired consistency.
Another option is to remove the slow cooker lid in the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
If you prefer, you can also transfer the dish to a prepared baking dish and place it in the oven for 10-15 minutes to crisp up the top.
Final Thoughts
My Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and Ham dish is one of those meals that makes you wonder how something so easy can taste so good.
It’s comfort food at its best—simple, satisfying, and perfect for busy moms who need to get a meal on the table with minimal effort.
Plus, it’s budget-friendly, using pantry staples and leftover ham.
Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or something to feed a crowd, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
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