Description
Hearty crockpot cheesy potatoes and kielbasa recipe combines comfort and flavor in one delightful dish. Polish-inspired ingredients merge for a simple, satisfying meal that feeds a hungry crowd with minimal prep work.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) kielbasa or smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen diced hash brown potatoes (or 6 cups fresh diced potatoes)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Velveeta cheese, cubed (optional for extra creaminess)
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tbsps butter, cubed
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped green onions or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Coat slow cooker interior with nonstick spray for easy cleaning and layer kielbasa as the foundational protein.
- Base Layer: Spread hash brown potatoes evenly across kielbasa, creating a hearty potato foundation.
- Creamy Mixture: Whisk cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk into a smooth, velvety liquid, then pour over potato and kielbasa layer to ensure complete coverage.
- Cheese and Seasoning: Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Velveeta throughout, intersperse chopped onions, and season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper for a robust flavor profile.
- Butter Integration: Strategically place butter cubes across the surface to enhance richness and promote even melting.
- Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and potatoes to become tender.
- Finishing Touches: Gently fold contents to integrate flavors, confirm potato softness and cheese melting, and optionally garnish with chopped green onions or parsley for a fresh, vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Prevent Sticking: Thoroughly spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray to guarantee easy serving and cleanup.
- Control Moisture Levels: Avoid oversoaking potatoes by using thawed hash browns or draining excess liquid to maintain ideal texture.
- Enhance Cheese Melting: Cube Velveeta into smaller pieces and distribute evenly to ensure uniform melting and creamy consistency.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom for vegetarian options or use low-fat dairy products for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg