![Cheesy-slow-cooker-ham-and-potoato-casserole.jpg Cheesy slow cooker ham and potoato casserole](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PfHNeIGFhvM/VtkdTCTYM7I/AAAAAAABggw/Hxh_zEUs8FI/Cheesy-slow-cooker-ham-and-potoato-casserole.jpg?imgmax=800)
Today I’m introducing a fun new challenge that I have started and recruited about 100 other bloggers to join me. It is a bi-monthly recipe challenge where I challenge us all to come up with a recipe using a specific ingredient or technique (think “Chopped” but a lot easier.) It will be held on the second Wednesday of every other month.. and we're calling it the “Ultimate Recipe Challenge”
This month’s theme ingredient (since it is March.. and in honor of St. Patrick’s Day) is: POTATOES
White, red, sweet, fingerling, yukon gold or even powdered mashed.. ANY potato counted. Plus the dish could be sweet or savory, a entree or a side.. Heck, even a dessert! But there had to be potatoes in it somewhere.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham and Potato Gratin
![Slow-cooker-ham-and-potatoes.jpg Slow cooker ham and potatoes](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--GXSu5uxtYw/Vtki6h7w2eI/AAAAAAABgh0/g5ZJwy53Chw/Slow-cooker-ham-and-potatoes.jpg?imgmax=800)
What I love most about this recipe is that you just need to throw everything in the crock pot and let it go. Plus it can be either a side or complete meal because it is so hardy and filling.
![Slow-Cooker-Ham-and-Potato-Au-Gratin.jpg Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Au Gratin](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pTnB1YhlCVY/Vtki434F8ZI/AAAAAAABghw/X71oEWu7Y8Q/Slow-Cooker-Ham-and-Potato-Au-Gratin.jpg?imgmax=800)
![Ham-and-Potato-Gratin-.jpg Ham and Potato Gratin](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m5Jj8CT-7Ow/VtkityUfFAI/AAAAAAABghY/YhOpDryBdiQ/Ham-and-Potato-Gratin-.jpg?imgmax=800)
5 Cups Peeled Potatoes (cut into 1/2 inch thick slices)
1 Onion
1 Cup cubed ham (about 1/2 of a ham steak)
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Cup Milk
2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese (I actually used a cheese blend because it was what I had but the flavor will be richer if you use all cheddar)
![potato-gratin-ingredients.jpg Potato gratin ingredients](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t8WN479Wa44/Vtkizp9Y9UI/AAAAAAABghk/cuivikP7hvc/potato-gratin-ingredients.jpg?imgmax=800)
Of course the star of the show is the potatoes. I used Idaho baking potatoes since I knew they would hold up in the slow cooker.
![peeling-potatoes-for-slow-cooker.jpg Peeling potatoes for slow cooker](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DJTU1wPc3fQ/Vtkixz-Yo8I/AAAAAAABghg/82B9_mn0alM/peeling-potatoes-for-slow-cooker.jpg?imgmax=800)
![Cutting-up-potatoes-and-onions.jpg Cutting up potatoes and onions](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IiVbaMJFkQU/Vtkir6TSzHI/AAAAAAABghU/NxPOC5t1i-8/Cutting-up-potatoes-and-onions.jpg?imgmax=800)
Finally I diced up half a ham steak. You could use any type of ham for this but i found the ham steak was the most inexpensive way to go.
![Ham-and-potatoes-in-crock-pot.jpg Ham and potatoes in crock pot](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kfFgBa13nVo/Vtkiv2uelFI/AAAAAAABghc/8tm2lpO2tbM/Ham-and-potatoes-in-crock-pot.jpg?imgmax=800)
Next layer the potatoes, onions and ham in a WELL OILED slow cooker. Season with a generous amount of salt and pepper between each layer.
![cooking-ham-and-potatoes-in-slow-cooker.jpg Cooking ham and potatoes in slow cooker](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hEv0hVmvfvc/VtkioGx0ruI/AAAAAAABghM/E4ZZKE4TZ0w/cooking-ham-and-potatoes-in-slow-cooker.jpg?imgmax=800)
Next you will mix the milk, cheese, and soup in a separate bowl.
![Slow-cooker-ham-cheese-and-potato-casserole.jpg Slow cooker ham cheese and potato casserole](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FiCXcR5ZD2g/Vtki8E3nGtI/AAAAAAABgh4/6Yy9vWLuiLM/Slow-cooker-ham-cheese-and-potato-casserole.jpg?imgmax=800)
![Cheese-and-Cream-Soup-Potatoes.jpg Cheese and Cream Soup Potatoes](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-08h_tq_8GFU/VtkiiqbTKsI/AAAAAAABghA/1sxiRK1op48/Cheese-and-Cream-Soup-Potatoes.jpg?imgmax=800)
The cheese and soup melt down into the perfectly cooked potatoes. It is so rich and creamy!
![Cheesey-Ham-and-Potato-Slow-Cooker-Casserole.jpg Cheesey Ham and Potato Slow Cooker Casserole](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s2utc8GZe2U/VtkiktQWYvI/AAAAAAABghE/iiydrYq8W80/Cheesey-Ham-and-Potato-Slow-Cooker-Casserole.jpg?imgmax=800)
Of course, to be a true Gratin you need a crumb crust. At serving you could add some toasted breadcrumbs to the top. I didn’t want to wait that long to dig in.. the house smelled so good.
![Crock-Pot-Ham-and-Potato-Gratin.jpg Crock Pot Ham and Potato Gratin](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Zd27lhLJtg/Vtkip_YE09I/AAAAAAABghQ/u7zGULJ3Ilc/Crock-Pot-Ham-and-Potato-Gratin.jpg?imgmax=800)
If you don’t like ham you could make this recipe without it, or even substitute bacon or cubed chicken.
![Cheesy-slow-cooker-ham-and-potoatoes.jpg Cheesy slow cooker ham and potoatoes](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9nJQagD95YE/Vtki-S3367I/AAAAAAABgh8/88sMlw1aONo/Cheesy-slow-cooker-ham-and-potoatoes.jpg?imgmax=800)
But I personally think it is just about perfect the way it is!
![Slow-Cooker-Cheesy-Ham-and-Potato-Gratin-.jpg Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham and Potato Gratin](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z0fv4qeDV_g/Vtki2wth4HI/AAAAAAABghs/NVU1pRYYsn0/Slow-Cooker-Cheesy-Ham-and-Potato-Gratin-.jpg?imgmax=800)
Of course, Gratin is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potato recipes. Here are dozens of other potato recipes submitted for this challenge. (And if you are a blogger and would like to join May’s challenge.. email me or contact me on Facebook and I will add you to the group!)