There’s nothing quite like a comforting dish of cheesy potatoes, and these Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes take comfort food to the next level! Made with thinly sliced potatoes, a delicious blend of cheeses and spices, and some heavy cream, this great recipe is a great side dish for a family get-together, brunch, holiday dinner or special occasion.
One of the best things about this slow cooker potatoes meal is how easy it is to make! You’ll make a simple cheese sauce on the stovetop, layer it with the sliced potatoes in the slow cooker, and then just sit back and let your crockpot do the work! Over a few hours {while you do whatever you want}, the potatoes will be cooked to perfection while being infused with the rich, creamy cheese sauce.
Read on to find out how to make it and get answers to some common questions about making Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes!
Can I Use a Different Type of Potato in this Slow Cooker Recipe?
You could definitely use a different kind of potatoes in this recipe! Whether your grocery store is short on russet potatoes or you just like another kind more, you could definitely make this same dish in the same way using another variety, like Yukon Gold Potatoes or red potatoes. Just make sure that no matter what kind you use, you make those potato slices nice and thin so they cook evenly the entire time in the slow cooker!
Can I Use a Different Type of Cheese Instead of Cheddar Jack?
Using different cheeses is a great way to customize this delicious recipe for a new experience each time! Some great options to try include Gruyere Cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, Swiss, or whatever your favorite kind of shredded cheese is!
Can I Make This Au Gratin Recipe Ahead of Time and Reheat it Later?
Yes! To make this dish ahead of time, fully cook the meal and then store it in an oven safe casserole dish covered in foil. When you’re ready to enjoy, bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for about 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.
Note: Reheating this will likely alter the texture of the potatoes a bit, taking away some of their crispiness. They’ll still taste great though!
Can I Add Other Ingredients?
There are so many ways to enhance this simple recipe, and adding more ingredients is an easy one! You can add bread crumbs for some more texture, cooked bacon or diced ham for some protein, or even diced onions!
Adding these extra ingredients is easy, you’ll just layer them in between the potato slices and cheese sauce as you put them in the slow cooker.
Keep in mind that adding ingredients can change the amount of time that the dish needs to cook, so make sure it’s truly done when that timer goes off!
Can I Cook This in the Slow Cooker on Low Heat instead of High Heat?
I often prefer cooking in the slow cooker on low heat so that I can prepare my meal even further in advance. You can do the same with this dish, though the potatoes may come out a little softer and the cheese sauce may be a little creamier. To cook this dish on low, just increase the time to 7-8 hours. Make sure the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly!
How Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free?
This dish is pretty heavy on dairy- between the cheese mixture and creamy sauce- but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it dairy-free! Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Butter: Replace traditional butter with a plant-based substitute or margarine.
Heavy cream: Replace with a store-bought plant-based heavy cream, or use a thick non-dairy milk like unsweetened plain soy milk.
Shredded cheese: Replace with a non-dairy cheese alternative- there are a lot of vegan cheese options available at most grocery stores!
How Do I Store Leftovers of Crockpot Au Gratin Potatoes?
To store the leftovers, make sure to let the potatoes cool to room temperature. Then transfer them to an airtight container or directly into a casserole dish covered in foil. To reheat the leftovers, place in an oven-safe dish {or keep in casserole dish if they’re already there!} and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes, until heated through. You can keep the potatoes safely stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
What Should I Serve with Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes?
These potatoes make the perfect side dish for any occasion- but what will you serve as a main dish? Try these potatoes with roasted chicken, roasted or grilled pork loin, or even roast beef. Pair with some light veggies to counterbalance the heaviness of the crockpot potatoes, like broccoli, green beans or asparagus. Or keep it simple with a light salad! Don’t forget to add some sort of bread or rolls to mop up all that extra cheese sauce!
What Supplies Do You Need to Make Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes in the Slow Cooker?
To make this Au Gratin Potatoes recipe, you’ll need:
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- Crockpot
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- If storing or reheating: Casserole dish
Step by Step Guide
Ready to cook? Grab the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post and come back here to get started!
Add butter to a small saucepan and melt over medium low heat. When the butter is melted, add the flour and stir to combine. Simmer until the mixture is golden and fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese.
Spray the bottom of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray and arrange potato slices in a single layer in the bottom for that first layer. Spread 1/4 of the cheesy sauce over the top of the potatoes.
Continue to layer the potatoes and cheese until you’ve used all the ingredients, making sure to end with a layer of cheese over the top of all the potatoes.
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 4-5 hours. After three hours, stir the potatoes to bring the potatoes on the bottom to the top of the pot and return the lid to continue cooking.
Around 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, remove the lid and sprinkle a layer of cheese over the top. Return the lid to the pot and allow the cheese to melt, then serve.
Hungry for More?
Want more delicious potato recipes? Try these:
- Mini Hasselback Potatoes
- Garlic Chicken & Potatoes
- Potatoes, Peppers & Hot Dogs
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Easy Potato Bites
Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes
This creamy and indulgent Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes recipe is easy to make and perfect for a cozy dinner. Serve it as a side dish with your favorite main course.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
Add the butter to a small saucepan and cook over medium low heat
When the butter is melted, add the flour and stir to combine. Simmer until the mixture is golden and fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Remove the pan from heat and stir in the cheese.
Spray the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray and arrange slices of potatoes in a single layer in the bottom of the pot. Spread ¼ of the cheese mixture over the top of the potatoes.
Continue layering the potatoes and cheese until all the ingredients have been used, making sure to end with a layer of cheese on top.
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 to five hours. After three hours of cooking, stir the potatoes to bring the potatoes on the bottom to the top of the pot and return the lid.
Around 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve your potatoes, remove the lid and sprinkle a layer of cheese over the top. Return the lid to the pot and allow the cheese to melt, then serve.
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