Savory Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Crock Pot: A Comforting Classic

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Crock Pot Recipe

A hearty and comforting dish, scalloped potatoes and ham is made with layers of thinly sliced potatoes, ham, and a creamy cheese sauce. It’s a classic dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. This recipe uses a crock pot, making it easy to prepare and cook.

To make scalloped potatoes and ham in a crock pot, you will need:

• 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 pound ham, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the potatoes, ham, and onion in a greased crock pot.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the sauce over the potatoes and ham.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the potatoes are tender.
5. Sprinkle with additional cheese, if desired.

Tips:

1. For a richer flavor, use smoked ham.
2. If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use milk instead.
3. You can add other vegetables to this dish, such as carrots or celery.
4. If you want a crispy top, cook the scalloped potatoes and ham on high for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
5. This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to serve.

Benefits:

• Scalloped potatoes and ham is a good source of protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins.
• It’s a relatively easy dish to make, and it’s perfect for a crowd.
• It’s a comfort food that’s perfect for a cold winter night.

Essential Aspects of Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Crock Pot

When making scalloped potatoes and ham in a crock pot, there are six key aspects to consider:

• Ingredients: The quality of the ingredients will impact the final dish. Use fresh, high-quality potatoes, ham, and cheese.
• Layering: The order in which you layer the ingredients is important. Start with a layer of potatoes, then add the ham, and finally the cheese sauce.
• Cooking time: The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your crock pot and the thickness of your potato slices. Cook until the potatoes are tender and the cheese sauce is bubbly.
• Temperature: Cook the scalloped potatoes and ham on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Low and slow cooking will result in more tender potatoes.
• Cheese: Use a combination of cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese for the best flavor. You can also add other cheeses, such as Parmesan or Gruyre.
• Seasoning: Season the scalloped potatoes and ham with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other spices, such as garlic powder or onion powder.

By following these tips, you can make a delicious and satisfying scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot dish. This dish is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. It’s also a great way to use up leftover ham.

Ingredients

In the context of “recipe scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot”, the quality of the ingredients is of paramount importance. This is because the flavors of the individual ingredients will meld together to create the overall flavor of the dish. Fresh, high-quality potatoes, ham, and cheese will result in a more flavorful and satisfying dish.

For example, using fresh potatoes will give the dish a more robust flavor than using frozen potatoes. Fresh ham will also be more flavorful than deli ham. And high-quality cheese will melt smoothly and evenly, creating a creamy and delicious sauce.

Of course, it is not always possible to find the highest quality ingredients. However, even using good quality ingredients will result in a tasty and satisfying dish. The important thing is to use the best ingredients that you can find.

Here are some tips for choosing high-quality ingredients for your scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot dish:

• Choose potatoes that are firm and have no bruises or blemishes.
• Choose ham that is smoked or cured, and that has a good amount of marbling.
• Choose cheese that is fresh and has a sharp flavor.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot dish is as delicious as possible.

Layering

Layering is an important aspect of making scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot because it affects the way the dish cooks and the flavors meld together. By starting with a layer of potatoes, you create a base for the dish and prevent the ham from sticking to the bottom of the crock pot. The ham layer adds flavor and richness, and the cheese sauce topping provides a creamy and flavorful finish.

• Facet 1: Creating a Base

  The first layer of potatoes creates a base for the dish and prevents the ham from sticking to the bottom of the crock pot. This is important because it ensures that the ham cooks evenly and doesn’t burn.

• Facet 2: Adding Flavor and Richness

  The ham layer adds flavor and richness to the dish. The saltiness of the ham complements the potatoes and cheese, and the fat from the ham helps to create a creamy sauce.

• Facet 3: Providing a Creamy and Flavorful Finish

  The cheese sauce topping provides a creamy and flavorful finish to the dish. The cheese melts and combines with the ham and potato juices to create a rich and flavorful sauce.

• Facet 4: Enhancing the Overall Texture

  The layering of the ingredients also affects the overall texture of the dish. The potatoes provide a soft and starchy base, the ham adds a chewy texture, and the cheese sauce creates a creamy and smooth topping. This combination of textures makes for a satisfying and enjoyable dish.

By following these layering tips, you can ensure that your scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot dish is cooked evenly, has a delicious flavor, and has a pleasing texture.

Cooking time

Cooking time is an important aspect of making scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot because it affects the texture and flavor of the dish. Cooking the potatoes for the correct amount of time ensures that they are tender and cooked through, while the cheese sauce should be bubbly and melted.

• Facet 1: Potato Tenderness

  Cooking the potatoes for the correct amount of time ensures that they are tender and cooked through. If the potatoes are undercooked, they will be hard and difficult to eat. If the potatoes are overcooked, they will become mushy and fall apart.

• Facet 2: Cheese Sauce Consistency

  The cheese sauce should be bubbly and melted. If the cheese sauce is not cooked for long enough, it will be thin and watery. If the cheese sauce is overcooked, it will become thick and rubbery.

• Facet 3: Crock Pot Size

  The size of the crock pot will affect the cooking time. A larger crock pot will take longer to cook the potatoes and cheese sauce than a smaller crock pot.

• Facet 4: Potato Slice Thickness

  The thickness of the potato slices will also affect the cooking time. Thicker potato slices will take longer to cook than thinner potato slices.

By understanding the cooking time and its impact on the texture and flavor of the dish, you can ensure that your scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot dish is cooked to perfection.

Temperature

The temperature at which you cook scalloped potatoes and ham in a crock pot will affect the tenderness of the potatoes. Cooking the potatoes on low for a longer period of time will result in more tender potatoes than cooking them on high for a shorter period of time.

This is because the low and slow cooking process allows the potatoes to cook evenly throughout, without overcooking the edges. The longer cooking time also allows the flavors of the ham and cheese sauce to meld together, resulting in a more flavorful dish.

If you are short on time, you can cook the scalloped potatoes and ham on high for 3-4 hours. However, the potatoes may not be as tender as if you cooked them on low for a longer period of time.

Here is a table summarizing the cooking times and temperatures for scalloped potatoes and ham in a crock pot:

| Temperature | Cooking Time | Result ||—|—|—|| Low | 6-8 hours | More tender potatoes || High | 3-4 hours | Less tender potatoes |

Ultimately, the best way to determine the cooking time is to check the potatoes for tenderness. Insert a fork into the center of a potato. If the fork slides in easily, the potatoes are done. If the fork meets resistance, the potatoes need to cook for longer.

Cheese

Cheese is an essential component of scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot. It provides a creamy, flavorful sauce that binds the potatoes and ham together. The combination of cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese is a classic pairing that provides a rich, nutty flavor. However, you can also add other cheeses to your scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot, such as Parmesan or Gruyre.

• Facet 1: Flavor and Texture

  The type of cheese you use will affect the flavor and texture of your scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot. Cheddar cheese is a sharp, flavorful cheese that melts well. Swiss cheese is a mild, nutty cheese that has a slightly springy texture. Parmesan cheese is a hard, grating cheese that adds a salty, umami flavor. Gruyre cheese is a semi-hard cheese that has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor.

• Facet 2: Melting Properties

  It is important to use cheeses that melt well when making scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot. This will ensure that the cheese sauce is smooth and creamy. Cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese are both good melting cheeses. Parmesan cheese and Gruyre cheese can also be used, but they may not melt as smoothly.

• Facet 3: Personal Preference

  Ultimately, the best cheese to use in scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot is a matter of personal preference. Experiment with different types of cheeses to find the combination that you like best.

By understanding the different types of cheeses and their properties, you can create a scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot dish that is flavorful, creamy, and cheesy.

Seasoning

Seasoning is an important step in making scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot. It enhances the flavor of the potatoes, ham, and cheese sauce, and helps to create a well-rounded dish. Salt and pepper are the most basic seasonings, but you can also add other spices to taste, such as garlic powder or onion powder.

• Facet 1: Enhancing Flavor

  Seasoning helps to enhance the flavor of the potatoes, ham, and cheese sauce. Salt brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients, while pepper adds a bit of spice. Other spices, such as garlic powder or onion powder, can add additional layers of flavor.

• Facet 2: Creating Balance

  Seasoning can also help to create balance in the dish. The saltiness of the ham and cheese sauce can be balanced by the addition of pepper or other spices. This helps to create a dish that is flavorful but not overpowering.

• Facet 3: Personalizing the Dish

  Seasoning allows you to personalize the dish to your own taste. If you like a lot of flavor, you can add more salt, pepper, or other spices. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use less seasoning.

By understanding the importance of seasoning and how it can be used to enhance the flavor of scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot, you can create a dish that is delicious and satisfying.

A hearty and comforting dish, scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot is a classic casserole that combines thinly sliced potatoes, diced ham, and a creamy cheese sauce. Typically cooked in a slow cooker, this dish is known for its ease of preparation and its rich, flavorful taste.

Scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot is a versatile dish that can be tailored to individual preferences. Different types of cheese, such as cheddar, Swiss, or Gruyre, can be used to create variations in flavor and texture. Vegetables such as sliced onions or chopped carrots can be added for extra nutrition and taste. This dish is not only a crowd-pleaser but also a great way to use up leftover ham.

Transition to main article topics:

• Essential Ingredients and their Functions
• Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
• Tips for Enhancing Flavor and Texture
• Serving Suggestions and Accompaniments

FAQs on Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Crock Pot

Scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot is a classic dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. However, there are a few common questions that people have about this dish.

Question 1: What type of potatoes are best for scalloped potatoes?

Answer: Yukon Gold potatoes or Russet potatoes are the best choices for scalloped potatoes. They have a good starch content, which helps them to hold their shape and not become mushy.

Question 2: How do I slice the potatoes for scalloped potatoes?

Answer: The potatoes should be sliced thinly and evenly. You can use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife.

Question 3: What kind of ham is best for scalloped potatoes?

Answer: Smoked ham or Black Forest ham are both good choices for scalloped potatoes. They add a lot of flavor to the dish.

Question 4: Can I add other vegetables to scalloped potatoes?

Answer: Yes, you can add other vegetables to scalloped potatoes, such as sliced onions, chopped carrots, or diced celery.

Question 5: How long do I cook scalloped potatoes in a crock pot?

Answer: Scalloped potatoes should be cooked on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.

Question 6: What are some tips for making scalloped potatoes in a crock pot?

Answer: Here are a few tips for making scalloped potatoes in a crock pot:

Use a liner in your crock pot for easy cleanup.Layer the potatoes, ham, and cheese in the crock pot.Pour the cream mixture over the potatoes.Cook the scalloped potatoes on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.Sprinkle with additional cheese before serving.

Summary of key takeaways or final thought:

Scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot is a delicious and easy-to-make dish. By following these FAQs, you can make sure that your scalloped potatoes turn out perfect every time.

Transition to the next article section:

Next: Tips for Enhancing Flavor and Texture

Conclusion

Scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot is a classic dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. In this article, we have explored the essential ingredients and their functions, provided step-by-step cooking instructions, and offered tips for enhancing flavor and texture. We have also addressed some common FAQs about this dish.

With its creamy texture, rich flavor, and versatility, scalloped potatoes and ham crock pot is a dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you are cooking it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish is sure to impress.

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