Easy Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes Kielbasa (Print Version)
Tender sliced potatoes and smoky kielbasa layered in a creamy cheddar sauce, slow-cooked to perfection for an easy comfort dish.
# 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 Steps:
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 Tips:
01 -
- The hands off prep means you can assemble it in 20 minutes then forget it until dinner time
- Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day, if they last that long
02 -
- Slicing potatoes uniformly with a mandoline or sharp knife is the difference between perfectly tender layers and some stubborn crunchy bits
- That resting period is not optional, it lets the sauce thicken into something luxurious instead of soupy
03 -
- If your sauce looks too thick initially, do not panic, the potatoes release moisture as they cook
- Turkey kielbasa works perfectly if you are watching fat content without sacrificing flavor