Slow Cooker Potatoes au Gratin Recipe

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Extra creamy and comforting Slow Cooker Potatoes au Gratin. Quick, easy, a smooth cheese sauce and delicious flavor. A versatile side dish!

There’s one side dish the whole family goes crazy for: cheesy potatoes. It doesn’t matter what kind of cheese or what kind of potato or how they are cooked. If potatoes are covered with a cheese sauce, then the family is in!

Some potatoes au gratin use fancy cheeses and are cooked in the oven, but we made our recipe a little extra comforting by adding Velveeta (which yes, does melt super creamy…there’s nothing like it!) and cream cheese. This recipe? Easy and delicious!

Why you’ll love this recipe:

Extra creamy flavor based on two classics: cream cheese and Velveeta.
Easily made in the slow cooker.
Perfect for potlucks or family dinners.
Cooks on low for 7-8 hours during the day.

What is the difference between au gratin and scalloped potatoes?

The main difference between au gratin potatoes and scalloped potatoes are the addition of cheese. Scalloped potatoes are generally just cooked in a white sauce, while potatoes au gratin have cheese.

You can also make “au gratin” recipes with vegetables other than potatoes. Think broccoli au gratin, carrots au gratin….you get it. Just add cheese!

ingredients for au gratin potatoes on a table

How to Make Slow Cooker Potatoes au Gratin

Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium low heat until bubbles start to form around the outside at the top of the milk and it starts to steam. Remove from the heat.
Add the cream cheese, Velveeta, garlic, nutmeg, paprika and black pepper and stir until smooth. The milk should be hot enough to melt the cheese.
Spray a slow cooker with cooking spray. Layer ¼ of the potatoes on the bottom of the slow cooker. Add ¼ of the sliced onions, then ¼ of the cheese mixture.
Repeat until all ingredients are used.
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Do not leave cooking longer as this recipe will burn.
Serve immediately. Add more milk to refresh leftovers if needed.

What do potatoes au gratin go with?

Here are a few of our favorite main dishes to go along with au gratin potatoes.

Cornflake chicken. I mean…this is classic comfort food!
Honey glazed baked ham. A traditional Easter dinner!
Slow cooker meatloaf. This one has only 4 ingredients and is SO good. (or make smoked meatloaf)
Fried pork chops. If you like fried chicken, you’ll love these easy fried pork chops in buttermilk breading.

Slow Cooker Potatoes au Gratin

4.86 from 7 votes

Extra creamy and comforting Slow Cooker Potatoes au Gratin. Quick, easy, a smooth cheese sauce and delicious flavor. A versatile side dish!

Servings 8

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 7

Total Time 7 15

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Ingredients

1 cup 2% milk
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
8 ounces Velveeta cheese (room temperature)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika
2 pounds Russet potatoes (with skin – cut into ¼” thick slices)
1 small sweet onion (thinly sliced)

Instructions

Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium low heat until bubbles start to form around the outside at the top of the milk and it starts to steam. Remove from the heat.
Add the cream cheese, Velveeta, garlic, nutmeg, paprika and black pepper and stir until smooth. The milk should be hot enough to melt the cheese.
Spray a slow cooker with cooking spray. Layer ¼ of the potatoes on the bottom of the slow cooker. Add ¼ of the sliced onions, then ¼ of the cheese mixture.
Repeat until all ingredients are used.
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Do not leave cooking longer as this recipe will burn.
Serve immediately. Add more milk to refresh leftovers if needed.

Notes

The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 8 people, with 1 serving being ⅛ of the potatoes. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Author Julie Clark

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Calories 271

Keyword crockpot, potato side dish, slow cooker recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put raw potatoes in a slow cooker?

Yes! Potatoes cook best with liquid in a slow cooker, so it’s important to add the sauce to cover the potatoes.

Do you have to peel potatoes for au gratin?

Nope! I like to leave the skin on, but you can peel them if you’d like.

Can I cook this on high?

Because milk can curdle, it’s best not to cook these potatoes on high.

Can you make potatoes au gratin in advance?

For the best texture, these potatoes should be served the same day you make it. nce completely cooled store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days. When reheating add a splash of milk to freshen up.