Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham and Potatoes
Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham and Potatoes is the ultimate easy comfort food! Frozen hash browns, savory ham, creamy soup, sour cream, butter, garlic, and plenty of cheddar cheese come together in the slow cooker for a hearty, cheesy casserole the whole family will love.
This recipe is especially perfect for busy weeknights, holiday leftovers, or anytime you want a filling meal without spending much time in the kitchen. Just mix, dump, and let your slow cooker do the work!
Serve with a Italian Garden Salad or Tossed Green Salad for a complete meal.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Recipe
There are plenty of reasons this cheesy ham and potato casserole earns a spot in your regular dinner rotation:
- Super easy: No peeling or chopping potatoes required. Unlike Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes this is a dump and go recipe, with less work.
- Uses frozen hash browns: Keep a bag in the freezer and you’re always ready to make this.
- Cheesy and creamy: The combination of cheddar, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup makes every bite rich and delicious.
- Great for leftovers: A perfect way to use leftover ham after Easter, Christmas, or another holiday meal.
- Family-friendly: Simple ingredients and comforting flavors make this a meal everyone can enjoy.
- Perfect for the slow cooker: Let your crockpot do the cooking while you get on with your day.
Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this easy slow cooker casserole.
Cream of Chicken Soup with Herbs: The cream of chicken soup creates the creamy sauce that coats the potatoes and ham. Using the herb variety adds extra flavor without needing a long list of seasonings.
Sour Cream: Sour cream adds richness and a slight tang that balances the creamy sauce.
Garlic: A tablespoon of minced garlic gives the casserole plenty of savory flavor.
Butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps create a luscious, creamy sauce.
Cheddar Cheese: Use your favorite shredded cheddar. Sharp cheddar adds the most flavor, while mild or medium cheddar will give you a more mellow cheesy taste.
Ham: Diced or cubed cooked ham makes this a hearty meal. It’s a great recipe for using leftover ham, but packaged ham cubes work perfectly, too.
Frozen Hash Browns: A 30-ounce bag of frozen hash browns makes this recipe incredibly easy. You can use shredded hash browns or frozen diced potatoes depending on what you have available.
How to Make Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham and Potatoes
Step 1: Make the sauce
In a large bowl, or the crock of your slow cooker, combine the cream of chicken soup with herbs, sour cream, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and melted butter.
Stir until everything is well combined and creamy.
Step 2: Add the potatoes and ham
Add the frozen hash browns and cubed ham to the bowl with the sauce.
Stir gently until the potatoes and ham are evenly coated.
Step 3: Add the cheese
Stir in about half of the shredded cheddar cheese, reserving the rest for the top.
Step 4: Transfer to the slow cooker
Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Pour the cheesy ham and potato mixture into the slow cooker and spread it into an even layer.
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top, or stir it in.
Step 5: Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or until the potatoes are hot and tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Because slow cookers vary, start checking toward the lower end of the cooking time to prevent the potatoes from becoming overly soft.
Step 6: Serve
Scoop the cheesy ham and potatoes into bowls and serve hot.
For a fresh finishing touch, sprinkle with chopped parsley or sliced green onions.
Tips for Making the Best Cheesy Ham and Potatoes
- Don’t thaw the hash browns. One of the best things about this recipe is that you can start with frozen hash browns. Just add them straight to the mixture.
- Shred your own cheese when possible. Freshly shredded cheddar melts beautifully and gives the casserole a creamy, cheesy texture.
- Adjust the seasoning to your ham. Ham can vary quite a bit in saltiness, so start with a small amount of salt and add more if needed.
- Don’t overcook. Once the potatoes are hot and tender, they’re ready. Cooking them for significantly longer can result in mushy potatoes.
- Use leftover ham. This recipe is an excellent way to repurpose leftover holiday ham. Simply cube the cooked ham and add it to the recipe.
Can I Use Different Frozen Potatoes?
Absolutely! While frozen hash browns are convenient and work beautifully, you can experiment with different varieties.
Shredded hash browns: These give the dish a classic cheesy potato casserole texture.
Diced hash browns: These create larger, more substantial pieces of potato.
Potato O’Brien: Frozen potatoes with peppers and onions can add extra flavor and color.
Can I Make This With Leftover Ham?
Yes! This is one of my favorite ways to make this recipe.
After a holiday meal, leftover ham can be transformed into this creamy, cheesy slow cooker casserole. Simply cut the ham into bite-sized cubes and use it in place of packaged ham cubes.
It’s an easy way to turn leftovers into an entirely new meal.
What to Serve With Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham and Potatoes
Because this casserole already includes potatoes and ham, all you really need is a simple vegetable or salad to round out the meal.
Try serving it with:
- Steamed or roasted broccoli
- Green beans
- Roasted vegetables
- A simple green salad
- Roasted asparagus
- Fresh fruit
- Dinner rolls
You can also serve it as a hearty side dish alongside grilled chicken, steak, or pork.
How to Store Leftovers
Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot. Larger portions can be reheated in the oven in a covered baking dish.
The leftovers make an especially easy lunch the next day!
Can You Freeze Cheesy Ham and Potatoes?
Yes, although the texture may change slightly after freezing because of the sour cream and potatoes.
If you want to freeze leftovers, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
Yes. However, the recipe is designed for frozen hash browns because they make preparation quick and easy. If using fresh potatoes, cut them into small, evenly sized pieces so they cook properly.
Can I use a different cheese?
Absolutely. Cheddar is classic, but Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a cheddar blend would all be delicious.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the creamy sauce and combine the ingredients ahead of time, then refrigerate until you’re ready to cook. For the best texture, avoid letting the frozen potatoes sit in the mixture for an extended period before cooking.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes. Simply leave out the ham. You can add broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, or another favorite vegetable to make it a hearty meatless casserole.
What size slow cooker should I use?
A 5- to 6-quart slow cooker works well for this recipe.
This is the kind of recipe I love for those nights when you want something warm, filling, and comforting without a lot of work. Toss everything into the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to a cheesy dinner the whole family will be excited to eat!
Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham and Potatoes
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 21 ounces cream of chicken soup with herbs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup butter melted
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 16 ounces cooked ham cubes
- 30 ounces frozen hash browns
Instructions
- Spray a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and melted butter. Stir until smooth.
- Add the frozen hash browns and cubed ham. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared slow cooker and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
There is no need to thaw the potatoes first.
Sharp cheddar provides the most flavor, but any melting cheese can be substituted.
Leftover cooked ham works beautifully in this recipe.
Start with a small amount of salt because both the ham and cream soup can be salty.
For extra cheesiness, sprinkle additional cheddar over individual servings.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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