Description
Crockpot cheesy potatoes bring creamy comfort straight from hearty Midwestern kitchens to your dinner table. Melted cheese, tender potatoes, and crispy edges create a crowd-pleasing side dish you’ll want to savor with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (32 ounces / 907 grams) bag frozen diced hash browns
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can cream of chicken soup
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup butter, melted
Seasoning and Optional Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)
- ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers or cornflakes (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the crockpot by thoroughly coating the interior with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- In the slow cooker, combine the shredded hash browns, creamy cheese, condensed chicken soup, tangy sour cream, smooth milk, richly melted butter, aromatic garlic powder, savory onion powder, delicate salt, freshly ground pepper, and warming paprika.
- Thoroughly mix all ingredients until they are evenly distributed, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
- Secure the crockpot lid and set the temperature to low, allowing the potato mixture to gently simmer and develop deep, comforting flavors for approximately 4-5 hours.
- Periodically stir the mixture to ensure even cooking and prevent any potential scorching at the bottom of the pot.
- During the final half-hour of cooking, optionally sprinkle a crunchy topping of crushed crackers or crisp cornflakes over the surface for added texture and visual appeal.
- Check the potatoes for tenderness by piercing with a fork; they should be soft and easily mashed.
- Once the cheese has melted completely and the potatoes are perfectly cooked, carefully transfer the creamy mixture to a serving dish.
- Serve the potatoes immediately while hot, offering a delightful side dish that promises warmth and satisfying comfort.
Notes
- Grease your slow cooker thoroughly to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Use frozen hash browns directly from the bag for maximum convenience and consistent texture.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular cream of chicken soup with a gluten-free alternative and use gluten-free crackers as topping.
- Reduce sodium by choosing low-sodium soup and using less added salt, perfect for heart-healthy diets.
- Boost nutritional value by mixing in diced bell peppers or chopped spinach for extra vegetables.
- Create a crispy top by broiling the finished dish for 2-3 minutes after slow cooking, ensuring a golden-brown finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg