Instant Pot scalloped potatoes are rich, creamy, and irresistibly cheesy, it is an instant comfort dish ready in less than 45 minutes! It can be served as a side dish or a main, and it’ll sure be your family favorite!!!!
In the beginning, my go-to Instant Pot recipes were chicken broth, chili, stew, and meatball pasta. And I slowly started converting my favorite recipes into Instant Pot friendly versions. It’s so fun and so convenient. And as I mentioned earlier, it’s not always a smooth road, but I’m telling ya, it’s totally worth it! If you are new to Instant Pot cooking, go to my Instant Pot Beginner’s Guide!
In our previous post, we discussed pot-in-pot cooking. And this exact method allows us to enjoy these uber-creamy Instant Pot scalloped potatoes in less than 45 minutes.
INSTANT POT SCALLOPED POTATO INGREDIENTS
Here are all the ingredients you need for this simple yet tasty dish.
Potatoes
- Which Potatoes do I choose?
You can choose either Russet potatoes or Yukon Golds. The difference between these two potatoes is that the Russet Potatoes have more starch and make a creamier sauce. Whereas the Yukon Golds hold their shape better but the sauce is slightly milkier.
- Can I leave the skin on?
You can most definitely leave the skin on this is up to you. Some prefer the skin on as it captures all the natural nutrition especially the fiber. For aesthetic reasons, some prefer to remove it. But it’s your choice!
- How thin do I cut the potatoes?
Scalloped potatoes are usually cut about 1/8 inch thick and try to cut them uniformly as it helps to cook them evenly.
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT SCALLOPED POTATOES
- Step 1. Thinly slice the potatoes and cut the ham into small pieces.
- Step 2. Combine the sauce ingredients, except the cheese.
- Step 3. Assemble everything in a round pan alternating a layer of potato slices, ham, sauce and cheese.
- Step 4. Pour in some water in the Instant Pot, then place a trivet and then the pan with potatoes inside the Instant Pot.
- Step 5. Cover the pot. Make sure the valve is set to sealing and set the pot for25 minutes on high.
- Step 6. Once the time is up, do a quick release, which simply means turn the valve to venting.
- Step 7. Carefully remove the dish from the Instant Pot. Don’t worry if the sauce looks runny, it’ll thicken up while resting. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and broil for 3-5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.
- Step 8. Rest for 10-15 minutes and then serve!
Here’s some FAQ about Instant Pot Scalloped potatoes…
Can I cook this scalloped potatoes recipe straight in Instant Pot without using an insert pan?
- No, because the sauce is a thick cream-based sauce, it gets scorched on the bottom, preventing the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
Can I skip the broiling part?
- Yes, you sure can! Simply sprinkle the cheese after the potatoes are cooked, and close the lid for 5 minutes or so, until the cheese is melted. It just won’t have that brown crust, no big deal!
Ugh, I hate cilantro. Can I skip it?
- Absolutely. Your scalloped potatoes, your rules. However, I think it adds delicious flavor to these scalloped potatoes. But if you don’t like cilantro, you won’t like it anyway.
The sauce is too runny. What did I do wrong?
- You did nothing wrong. The sauce is usually thinner at the beginning, but as you let it rest, it thickens up nicely.
My Instant Pot Scallion Potatoes curdled. What went wrong and can I fix it?
- So firstly you can eat it, it is not harmful but it won’t be as appetizing. Check that you did indeed use heavy cream and the suggested potatoes above.
- Make sure the heavy cream is very fresh. Whole-fat dairy products are less likely to curdle, so consider using them as opposed to low-fat alternatives.
- You won’t be able to fix it perfectly, but add heavy cream and cheese and then broil it on a lower heat for another 10 minutes.
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs russet potatoes washed and peeled
- 4 oz sliced deli ham
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup milk
- 2-3 garlic cloves grated on microplane zester
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup loosely packed cilantro chopped
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
- Thinly slice the potatoes and cut the ham into small squares.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the heavy cream, milk, garlic, flour, salt, black pepper and cilantro.
- Spray a round pan that fits inside your Instant Pot (I used 8″ round with 2″ high sides) with cooking spray.
- Layer half of the potatoes and ham in the prepared pan, followed by half of the cheese.
- Pour half of the liquid over the top. Repeat with the rest of the potatoes, ham and liquid, reserving the remaining cheese for later.
- Place a trivet on the bottom of your inset pan of your Instant Pot and pour 1-2 cups of water
- Carefully lower your pan down into the liner of your pressure cooker.
- Close the lid and make sure the pressure release valve is set to sealing. Set Instant Pot to Manual on High pressure for 25 minutes. Then do a Quick Release, but carefully turning the valve to venting.
- Carefully pull the pan out by the trivet handles and place pan on a baking sheet.
- Top with the remaining cheese and place under the broiler in your oven for 3 minutes. (Or if you don’t want to turn on your oven you can just leave the potatoes in the pressure cooker, top with cheese and cover for 5 minutes before removing from liner).
- Rest the potatoes for about 10-15 minutes before serving, so the sauce thickens and gets absorbed into the potatoes. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full nutrition disclosure.
Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.
This post was originally published on October 14, 2018, and last updated on March 5, 2020.
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Reader's Reviews
Thank you so much for this recipe. This is the best overall pot-in-pot scalloped potatoes I’ve cooked using the Instant Pot. I wasn’t sure all the potatoes woujd fit in one stackable pan with the liquid but it worked. I plan to use both stackable pans to double the recipe if needed. The other recipes for Instant Pot I’ve cooked are time-consuming, turned out making a mess, either by not being fully cooked, too messy, or needing other pans and burning the inner liner (don’t cook dairy in the IP liner.)
Sorry, I’m going too long, but I’d like other cooks to know how adaptable recipes can be using the pot-in-pot method…such as reheating a leftover meal of proteins and veggies. I’m so glad I found your recipe post on the PIP cook method.
I thought I’d have leftover potatoes, but nope, that’s how tasty this is. I did add my personal preferences, subbed tarragon for the cilantro (I use tarragon on everything) and chopped a small onion then sprinkled over the ham layer. Onion powder would work in a pinch. I can’t wait to cook more recipes of yours!
Hi, Ryan! I’m so happy you tried and loved the recipe!! I appreciate your feedback and all the info you’ve shared from your experience. Thank you!!!
Sorry but i am very disappointed 😢 ….. did not cook in time stated ….. cooked an additional 15 minutes …. Still not cooked …… finally had to cook it in my Air Fryer oven. Used Russet potatoes and ham as called for ….. only thing left out was the Cilantro because I don’t care for the taste of it …… but that would not cause the recipe to not cook as it should have.
Hi, Barbara. Thanks so much for your feedback. I’m sorry to hear your potatoes didn’t cook in the specified time. I make this recipe all the time and I never have problem. The only thing I could think of is maybe your Instant Pot was set to “low” setting? These recipe should be cooked for 25 minutes on “high” pressure cooking setting.
Mine turned out so bizarre. It looked like curled milk. Tasted okay though…
Oh no, that’s weird. After a little research on this, I learned that this tends to happen with lower fat content in milk. What was the fat % of your milk? We usually use whole milk in our household, so maybe that’s why I’ve never experienced this. Let me know, Dana. And I’ll make a note in the recipe if necessary.