Easy Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes Kielbasa (Printable)
Tender potatoes and smoky kielbasa in a creamy cheddar sauce, slow-cooked to perfection for an easy, hearty comfort meal.
# What You 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 Make It:
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 Suggestions:
01 -
- The slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
- Everything cooks in one pot leaving barely any cleanup
02 -
- Slice your potatoes as evenly as possible so they all finish cooking at the same time
- Letting it sit for 10 minutes before serving helps the sauce set so it is not too soupy
- The cheese on top can brown quickly so check during those last few minutes
03 -
- A mandoline makes quick work of slicing all those potatoes uniformly
- Turkey kielbasa works beautifully if you want to lighten it up