Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these incredibly creamy and effortlessly prepared Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes – a perfect side dish guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for any gathering!

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There’s something uniquely satisfying about a well-made potato side dish. From these comforting Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes to zesty Ranch Potatoes or classic Scalloped Potatoes, we simply can’t resist them. But when convenience meets irresistible flavor, these slow cooker cheesy potatoes truly steal the show.

Effortless Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes: The Ultimate Side Dish for Any Crowd

Imagine a holiday feast, a casual family dinner, or a large potluck where your main course takes center stage in the oven, and your stovetop is bustling with other delicious components. The last thing you need is a side dish demanding constant attention or valuable oven space. This is precisely where Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes become an absolute lifesaver. This recipe liberates your oven and stovetop, offering a hands-off approach that guarantees a rich, creamy, and undeniably delicious potato dish with minimal fuss.

These slow cooker cheesy potatoes embody the essence of easy entertaining and everyday comfort. With just a few minutes of prep work earlier in the day, you can set your slow cooker to work, transforming simple ingredients into a golden, bubbly, cheesy masterpiece. The magic of slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a deep, savory profile that’s simply irresistible. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, making it nearly impossible for anyone to resist piling their plate high. Get ready for rave reviews and empty serving dishes!

Key Ingredients for Unforgettable Cheesy Potatoes

Crafting the perfect Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes begins with selecting quality ingredients that contribute to its rich texture and savory taste. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component plays a crucial role:

• Butter: We recommend using unsalted butter to have full control over the sodium content. If you opt for salted butter, remember to slightly reduce the amount of additional salt in the recipe to prevent over-seasoning. Butter forms the base of our roux, creating a silky-smooth sauce.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is your go-to for thickening the luxurious cheese sauce. It helps create a velvety consistency that perfectly coats every potato piece, ensuring a creamy bite every time.
• Milk: Most milk varieties will work beautifully. We typically use 2%, but 1% or whole milk are excellent alternatives. For those preferring a dairy-free option, almond milk or another plant-based milk can be substituted. Just be aware that dairy-free milks are often thinner, so you might need to add a touch more flour to achieve the desired sauce thickness.
• Chicken Broth: This liquid gold adds a significant depth of savory flavor to the dish. For a vegetarian version, feel free to swap chicken broth with an equal amount of high-quality vegetable broth without compromising on taste.
• Salt & Pepper: These foundational seasonings are essential for enhancing all the other flavors. While specific amounts are suggested in the recipe card, we always encourage seasoning to your personal taste. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
• Sour Cream: The secret to an exceptionally creamy sauce lies in sour cream. Its tangy richness adds a beautiful complexity and velvety smoothness. Full-fat sour cream delivers the best results for a truly decadent dish, but reduced-fat varieties will also work in a pinch.
• Roasted Red Peppers: These vibrant peppers introduce a delightful smoky sweetness and a pop of color that elevates the entire dish. While roasting your own peppers can be rewarding, using jarred roasted red peppers is a convenient and equally delicious shortcut. Whether they come whole or in strips, simply dice them before adding.
• Hash Brown Potatoes: For ultimate convenience and consistent results, frozen hash browns are key. We particularly love the southern-style small cubes for their texture, which holds up wonderfully in the slow cooker. Shredded hash browns are also an option if you prefer; just note that they tend to cook a bit faster, so adjust your cooking time accordingly and check for tenderness. No need to thaw them beforehand!
• Cheese: The star of any cheesy potato dish! While Gruyere is our top recommendation for its nutty, complex flavor and superb melting qualities, any cheese that melts well can be used. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend would also be delicious. We cube our cheese instead of shredding it to create delightful pockets of melted cheese throughout the dish. This unique texture experience is truly a game-changer – try it once, and you might become a convert!

Crafting Your Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes: A Simple Guide

Despite its rich flavor, making these Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes is surprisingly straightforward. The most involved part is preparing the sauce, and even that is incredibly simple! Here’s how to achieve creamy, cheesy perfection:

1. Prepare the Roux: Begin by melting the butter in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and slightly bubbling, whisk in the all-purpose flour. Continue to cook this mixture, stirring constantly, for about one to two minutes. This crucial step cooks out the raw flour taste, ensuring your sauce has a smooth, pleasant flavor.

2. Build the Sauce Base: Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and create a smooth consistency. Follow this by slowly whisking in the chicken (or vegetable) broth. Season the mixture with your desired amounts of salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken slightly. It should lightly coat the back of a spoon.

3. Finish the Sauce: Remove the pot from the heat. This is important to prevent the sour cream from curdling. Stir in the sour cream until it is fully incorporated and the sauce is wonderfully creamy. Finally, fold in the diced roasted red peppers, adding a burst of color and a subtle smoky-sweet flavor. Your delicious sauce is now complete!

4. Layering the Potatoes: Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Spread half of the frozen hash brown potatoes evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker. Remember, there’s no need to thaw them – they cook perfectly from frozen!

5. Add the First Layer of Sauce and Cheese: Carefully spread half of your prepared creamy sauce over the layer of potatoes. Ensure an even coating. Then, generously sprinkle half of the cubed Gruyere cheese over the sauce.

6. Repeat and Cook: Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the remaining frozen potatoes, sauce, and cheese, creating a second, equally delicious layer. Once all layers are in place, secure the lid on your slow cooker and let the magic happen!

Expert Tips for the Best Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

To ensure your cheesy potatoes turn out perfectly every time, keep these helpful tips in mind:

• Don’t Overfill: Avoid filling your slow cooker more than two-thirds full to allow for even cooking and proper heat circulation.
• Resist the Urge to Peek: Opening the slow cooker lid releases heat and can significantly extend cooking time. Try to keep the lid on as much as possible until the potatoes are almost done.
• Customize Your Cheese: While Gruyere is fantastic, feel free to experiment with other good melting cheeses like sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, or a blend of Italian cheeses for a different flavor profile.
• Add-Ins for Extra Flavor: For an extra layer of deliciousness, consider stirring in cooked and crumbled bacon, diced ham, or caramelized onions into the sauce before layering. A sprinkle of fresh chives or green onions just before serving adds a fresh garnish.
• Consistency is Key: Ensure your sauce isn’t too thick or too thin. If it’s too thick, add a little extra milk or broth; if too thin, a small slurry of cornstarch and water can help thicken it in the last hour of cooking.
• Serving Temperature: For the ultimate creamy experience, serve these potatoes hot and bubbling straight from the slow cooker.

Storing and Reheating Your Cheesy Potato Leftovers

Proper storage ensures you can enjoy your delicious Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes even after the initial meal. Any leftovers should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator. They will maintain their quality for up to 3-4 days.

While we don’t typically recommend freezing cooked potatoes, as they can sometimes develop a strange, mealy texture upon thawing and reheating, if you must, ensure they are tightly sealed to minimize ice crystal formation.

When it comes to reheating, you have a couple of convenient options:

• Microwave (Single Servings): For quick, individual portions, the microwave is your best friend. Place a serving on a microwave-safe plate, cover it loosely, and heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until thoroughly warmed.
• Oven (Larger Portions): If you’re reheating a larger quantity, the oven is ideal for maintaining that creamy texture. Transfer the potatoes to an oven-safe baking dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil to prevent drying out, and bake at 350ºF (175ºC) for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce is hot and bubbling throughout. You can remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes if you prefer a slightly crispier top.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

Here are answers to some common questions about making these delectable slow cooker cheesy potatoes:

Can I use raw potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
Yes, you can use fresh potatoes, but we do not recommend adding them raw directly to the slow cooker in this recipe. Raw potatoes will take significantly longer to cook and may not achieve the desired tender texture. Instead, peel and dice your fresh potatoes, then par-boil them until they are slightly tender but still firm. Avoid cooking them until fully tender, as they will continue to cook and soften in the slow cooker. Layer the par-boiled potatoes exactly as you would with the frozen hash browns in the recipe instructions.

Can I adjust the cooking time?
Absolutely! If you need your cheesy potatoes done faster, you can cook them on the high setting of your slow cooker. They should be ready in approximately 3 hours. If you need to extend the cooking time slightly, you might be able to let them go for an extra hour on low, but exercise caution. The longer they cook, especially on high or for extended periods, the higher the risk of the edges becoming crispy or even slightly overcooked. Always check for doneness by piercing a potato with a fork.

What’s the difference between these and Funeral Potatoes?
This Crockpot Cheesy Potato recipe is quite similar to classic Funeral Potatoes, which are often also called cheesy potatoes. The primary differences are the cooking method and the topping. Our crockpot version offers a convenient slow cooker preparation and does not feature the traditional crispy topping (often made from crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs). While a few ingredients might vary slightly, both dishes share the same comforting, creamy, and cheesy potato base, making them equally satisfying side dishes.

What main dishes pair well with Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes?
These versatile cheesy potatoes are the quintessential side dish for a wide array of meals. They are particularly fantastic for holiday gatherings, complementing a festive holiday ham for Easter or Christmas. They also make an ideal accompaniment for traditional Sunday suppers, such as savory meatloaf, tender pork chops, or the ever-popular Poppy Seed Chicken. Their creamy richness balances beautifully with roasted meats and poultry.

Explore More Delicious Potato Recipes

If you love potatoes as much as we do, you’ll want to try these other fantastic recipes:

• Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
• Our Favorite Mashed Potato Recipe
• Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
• The Best Sweet Potato Casserole
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter

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Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

Creamy and easy, these Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes are a great side dish recipe, perfect for feeding a crowd!

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours 15 minutes

Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

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Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (2 oz) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (6 oz) milk (2% recommended)
• 1 cup (8 oz) chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 cup (8 oz) sour cream (full-fat recommended)
• 1/2 cup (160 g) diced roasted red peppers (jarred or fresh)
• 32 oz frozen southern style hash brown potatoes (cubed)
• 8 oz Gruyere cheese, cut into small cubes (or other good melting cheese)

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
2. Slowly whisk in the milk, followed by the broth. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is slightly thickened.
3. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the sour cream and the diced roasted red peppers until well combined.
4. Spray the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Layer half of the frozen hash brown potatoes evenly in the bottom.
5. Carefully spread half of the cream sauce over the potatoes, then sprinkle half of the cubed cheese over the top.
6. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, sauce, and cheese.
7. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or on high for 3 hours, until potatoes are tender and bubbly.
8. Serve hot and enjoy!

Recipe Notes:

Nutrition information provided is an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.

Nutrition Information (Estimated)

Serving: 1/12 of recipe, Calories: 237kcal (12%), Carbohydrates: 19g (6%), Protein: 8g (16%), Fat: 14g (22%), Saturated Fat: 10g (63%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 33mg (11%), Sodium: 394mg (17%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 2g (2%)

Keywords: cheesy potatoes, crockpot cheesy potatoes, slow cooker potatoes, comfort food, easy side dish, holiday potatoes

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