Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes recipe is a creamy and cheesy side dish, which is made with sharp white Cheddar cheese and nutty Gruyere cheese. It’s the perfect ‘set it and forget it’ holiday recipe, freeing up your oven for other dishes.

Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes Ingredients

• 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 4 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
• 1 1/2 tsp. black pepper, plus more for garnish
• 1 1/2 cups sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 4 lb. Russet potatoes (about 4 large potatoes), peeled
• Nonstick cooking spray

How To Make Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Make the Cheese Sauce: Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream until smooth. Whisk in the salt, thyme, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then remove it from the heat. Whisk in the shredded Cheddar and Gruyere cheeses until completely melted and smooth.
3. Slice the Potatoes: Using a mandoline slicer, carefully slice the peeled potatoes into very thin, 1/8-inch thick rounds.
4. Layer the Casserole: Lightly grease a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange about one-third of the potato slices in the bottom and top with one-third of the cheese sauce. Repeat the layers twice more, ending with a layer of cheese sauce.
5. Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, until the potatoes are tender. You can test this by inserting a paring knife into the center; it should slide in and out easily.
6. Rest and Serve: Turn off the slow cooker and uncover it. Let the potatoes rest and thicken for 20 minutes before serving. Garnish with a sprinkle of black pepper and more fresh thyme.

Recipe Tips

• How do you get the creamiest, non-lumpy sauce? The key is to make a proper roux by cooking the butter and flour for a minute before slowly whisking in the cream. Removing the sauce from the heat before adding the cheese is also crucial to prevent it from becoming grainy.
• What are the best potatoes for scalloped potatoes? Starchy potatoes like Russets are perfect for this dish. As they cook, they release starches that help to naturally thicken the cream sauce, making it extra luscious and creamy.
• Why do my potatoes seem watery at the end? Don’t skip the final rest! Letting the finished potatoes sit uncovered for 20 minutes is a critical step that allows the sauce to cool slightly and thicken up to the perfect consistency.
• Can I make this ahead of time? Yes. You can bake the casserole completely, let it cool, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Reheat, uncovered, in a 325ºF oven for about 45 minutes until warmed through.

What To Serve With Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes

This is the ultimate holiday side dish because it frees up valuable oven space. It is the perfect rich and creamy accompaniment to:

• A big Thanksgiving Turkey
• Glazed Christmas Ham
• A classic Prime Rib or Beef Roast
• Simple Roasted Chicken

How To Store Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes

• Refrigerate: Cover the cooled leftovers tightly or transfer to an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Freezing is generally not recommended for cream-based potato dishes, as the sauce can separate and the texture of the potatoes can become watery upon thawing.

Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes Nutrition Facts

• Serving: 1/10th of recipe
• Calories: 510 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Protein: 15g
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 22g
• Sodium: 950mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Hasselback Potatoes Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Fried Potatoes and Onions Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes Recipe