Slow Cooker Hot Cancoillotte with Potatoes and Smoked Sausage Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a more robust flavor profile, you can gently brown the sausage slices in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker, though this is not strictly necessary for the dish to be delicious. If you choose to brown them, be sure to drain any excess fat before placing the sausage into the pot. This extra step enhances the smokiness of the final dish and provides a slightly firmer texture to the sausage rounds.

When serving, use a wide spoon to scoop from the bottom of the pot to ensure each portion includes a mix of potatoes, sausage, and the creamy cheese sauce. If you find the sauce is too thick after cooking, a splash of warm milk can be stirred in just before serving to adjust the consistency to your preference. This will help maintain the silky, luxurious mouthfeel that makes this dish so enjoyable to eat.

Variations

• Herbed Potato Casserole: Add a tablespoon of fresh thyme or rosemary leaves between the potato layers to introduce an earthy, aromatic element that complements the smoked sausage perfectly.
• Caramelized Onion Twist: Layer thinly sliced onions at the bottom of the slow cooker along with the sausages to provide a sweet, savory depth that balances the tang of the cheese.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Reheat

Reheat in a microwave-safe dish on medium power until heated through, or in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk if the sauce is too thick.

If you have leftovers, allow the dish to cool down to room temperature for no more than two hours before transferring it to an airtight container. Properly stored, the dish will maintain its quality in the refrigerator for up to three days.

When ready to enjoy again, ensure it is heated thoroughly, as the cheese sauce may thicken when cold. If needed, add a tiny amount of water or milk when reheating to bring the sauce back to its original consistency.

You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time by slicing the potatoes and sausages and storing them in the refrigerator in separate containers. When you are ready to cook, simply assemble the layers in the slow cooker and start the cooking process.

While you can assemble the entire dish in the slow cooker insert and refrigerate it, ensure you bring the pot to room temperature for about 30 minutes before turning it on to avoid cracking the ceramic insert due to sudden temperature changes.

Serving ideas

Serve this dish warm, ideally directly from the slow cooker or transferred to a large, pre-warmed serving bowl. Because it is quite rich, it pairs exceptionally well with a crisp, green side salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy cheese and savory sausage.

A side of crusty bread is also perfect for mopping up any remaining cheese sauce left on the plate after the potatoes and sausages have been enjoyed.

When plating, try to maintain the layers as much as possible so that the diner gets a perfect balance of all the components in each bite. The warmth of the dish makes it particularly suited for serving during colder months, bringing a sense of comfort to the table.

Ensure each plate is served immediately while the cheese is still warm and at its most velvety, as this is when the texture and flavor are at their absolute peak.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Slow Cooker Hot Cancoillotte with Potatoes and Smoked Sausage

Prep 10 minCook 4 hRest 5 minTotal 4 h 15 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
• 1 1/2 lb potatoes, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, to taste
• 8 oz cancoillotte cheese

Instructions

1. Place the sliced smoked sausage into the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the sliced potatoes in an even layer on top of the sausage to ensure they cook evenly. Sprinkle the potatoes evenly with the black pepper.
2. Spoon the cancoillotte cheese over the top of the potatoes, spreading it out to cover the surface as much as possible. Cover the slow cooker with the lid to trap the heat and moisture during the cooking process.
3. Cook on low for 4 hours until the potatoes are tender and the sausage reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Once finished, allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the cheese stabilize.

Contains: milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

480

Protein

18.5 g

Carbohydrates

32 g

Fat

29.5 g

Fiber

3.2 g

Sugar

2.1 g

Sodium

850 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.