Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes: The Perfect Savory Side Dish for Any Occasion!

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The Creamiest Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes for Holidays & Cozy Family Dinners

Creamy slow cooker scalloped potatoes layered with Gruyère cheese and baked until tender.

There are some recipes that simply never go out of style, and these Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes have become one of those recipes in our home.

Whether I'm planning Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas with family, Easter brunch, or a cozy Sunday meal, this is the side dish everyone quietly hopes makes it onto the table.

One of my favorite parts about making scalloped potatoes in the slow cooker is that it frees up precious oven space—especially during the holidays when every rack seems to be full. While these potatoes slowly cook away, I can spend my time setting the table, preparing dessert, or simply enjoying the people gathered in my kitchen instead of worrying about another casserole.

Thinly sliced russet potatoes are layered with caramelized onions, fresh garlic, Gruyère cheese, and a rich cream sauce before slowly cooking into one of the creamiest potato dishes you'll ever make.

If you're looking for an easy slow cooker side dish that's comforting enough for winter holidays but simple enough for family dinners throughout the year, this recipe is one you'll come back to again and again.

Why You'll Love These Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

  • Rich, creamy Gruyère cheese sauce

  • Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or Sunday dinner

  • Frees up oven space during the holidays

  • Easy to prepare ahead of time

  • Family-friendly comfort food

  • Elegant enough for entertaining

  • Minimal hands-on cooking

Make-ahead slow cooker scalloped potatoes for holiday entertaining.
Classic scalloped potatoes for holiday entertaining and family dinners.

Ingredients

Easy slow cooker scalloped potatoes recipe made with russet potatoes and heavy cream.
  • 2 pounds russet potatoes

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 yellow onion

  • 3 tablespoons salted butter

  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese

  • 2 cups heavy cream

Ingredient Notes

Russet Potatoes

Russet potatoes are my favorite choice because they become perfectly tender while still holding their layers beautifully after hours of slow cooking.

Creamy crockpot scalloped potatoes served as a cozy holiday side dish.

Gruyère Cheese

Gruyère adds a rich, nutty flavor that melts beautifully into the cream sauce.

Heavy Cream

Heavy cream creates the luxurious sauce that makes these potatoes so irresistible.

Slow cooker scalloped potatoes served for a Thanksgiving holiday dinner.

How to Make Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

Step 1

Wash and peel the potatoes before slicing them about ⅛-inch thick using a mandoline or sharp knife.

Step 2

Melt butter in a skillet before caramelizing the onions. Stir in garlic before whisking together the heavy cream, flour, thyme, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 3

Layer potatoes, Gruyère cheese, and cream sauce into the slow cooker.

Repeat until everything has been used.

Step 4

Cook for approximately four hours until fork tender.

Allow to rest before serving.

Creamy slow cooker scalloped potatoes layered with Gruyère cheese and baked until tender.

Amanda's Tips

• Slice evenly.

• Freshly shred cheese.

• Let rest.

• Grease slow cooker.

• Use a mandoline.

Easy crockpot potato recipe with garlic, onions, Gruyère cheese, and herbs.

Make Ahead Instructions

This recipe is perfect for holiday meal prep.

Assemble everything the night before, refrigerate, then simply place the insert into the slow cooker the next day.

Cheesy Gruyère scalloped potatoes with caramelized onions and garlic.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container up to four days.

Reheat gently.

Easy potato side dish for weeknight dinners and holidays.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

One of my favorite things about these potatoes is just how versatile they are. They're equally at home on a holiday table or served alongside a cozy weeknight dinner.

If you're planning a complete meal, these recipes pair beautifully with this creamy side dish:

Apple Glazed Chicken Thighs

A sweet and savory main dish that complements the rich, cheesy potatoes beautifully.

Grilled Peach Caprese Chicken

Fresh peaches, basil, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze make this one of my favorite warm-weather pairings.

Baked Caesar Asparagus

A fresh vegetable side that balances the richness of the potatoes.

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese & Candied Pecans

Crisp, colorful, and perfect for holiday meals.

Stuffed Mushrooms

An elegant appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or dinner parties.

Sweet Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

A bright and refreshing salad to round out the meal.

Shop My Kitchen

If you've been around here for a while, you know I love investing in kitchen tools that last for years.

I've linked my favorite slow cooker, mandoline slicer, Dutch oven, serving dishes, and entertaining favorites in my Cozy Kitchen Essentials ShopMy Shelf.

➡️ INSERT SHOPMY SHELF HERE

Homemade scalloped potatoes with a creamy herb sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these the night before?

Yes!

Can I use Yukon Gold potatoes?

Absolutely.

What's the difference between scalloped potatoes and potatoes au gratin?

Traditional scalloped potatoes use a cream sauce, while au gratin potatoes typically contain more cheese. This recipe offers the best of both.

Can I freeze them?

Cream sauces don't freeze as well, so I recommend enjoying them fresh.

The best creamy scalloped potatoes made in the slow cooker.
Creamy potato side dish served with roasted chicken for family dinner.

More Cozy Recipes You'll Love

If you're building a holiday menu or simply love comforting family dinners, here are a few more favorites from my kitchen.

Elevate Your Plate with a Baked Caesar Asparagus Side Dish

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese & Candied Pecans

A Crowd-Pleasing Stuffed Mushroom Recipe

Discover the Delightful Twist of Sweet Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Holiday Menus You'll Love

If entertaining is one of your favorite ways to love on people, I think you'll enjoy these seasonal menus and hosting guides too.

Red, White & Boil: An Americana Southern Dinner Party

America's 250th Summer Tablescape

Easy Shrimp Boil Recipe

Brown Butter Herb Corn on the Cob

Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Bacon

All-American Charcuterie Board

From Amanda's Kitchen

Love having recipes you can print and keep? I've started creating beautiful printable recipe cards for some of my favorite recipes so you can save them in your recipe binder, tuck them into a cookbook, or share them with family and friends.

⬇️ Save or print the recipe card below.

Printable recipe card for creamy slow cooker scalloped potatoes made with russet potatoes, Gruyère cheese, garlic, onions, and heavy cream. Easy crockpot holiday side dish from Amanda's Kitchen.
Easy potato side dish perfect for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving meals.
Slow cooker holiday side dish recipe with creamy scalloped potatoes.
Close-up of creamy slow cooker scalloped potatoes ready to serve.
Cheesy potato casserole cooked low and slow in the crockpot.
Comfort food scalloped potatoes with rich cream sauce and cheese.
Rustic homemade scalloped potatoes in a slow cooker.