Easy Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes Kielbasa (Printable Version)

Tender potatoes and smoky kielbasa layered in a creamy cheddar sauce, slow-cooked to perfection for an easy comforting meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 (optional)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

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.

# Tips from hearthlykitchen:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, so you can walk away and come back to something incredible
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day, if they last that long
  • One dish covers protein, starch, and vegetables with zero fuss
02 -
  • Slicing potatoes uniformly, about 1/8 inch thick, ensures even cooking throughout
  • The resting period is not optional, it's what transforms this from soup to scalloped potatoes
  • Cheese added at the very end prevents it from separating during the long cook time
03 -
  • Use a mandoline if you have one for perfectly even potato slices
  • Layer ingredients in a circular pattern rather than random placement for even cooking

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