Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes -

These super simple 6-ingredient Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes are delicious, foolproof, and the ultimate comfort food side dish that everyone will love. With just 10 minutes, you can have this family favorite recipe prepped and ready to cook hassle-free.

Cheesy potatoes are rich and creamy, and always a crowd favorite. In our house they’re a staple side dish for most holidays. These Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes not only taste divine, but they free up oven space during busy meals which makes them the best side dish of any dinner menu, every time.

The star ingredient of the show are no-fail, frozen hash browns that get folded into melty Monterey jack and a rich, creamy sauce before they’re slow-cooked to perfection. Super simple to throw together and unbelievably satisfying, these Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes are the perfect make-ahead side. Little stress with big flavor is our favorite way to cook.

If you like these tasty potatoes, try some of our other easy, go-to side dishes. We love this hearty Sweet Potato Casserole and these sweet and savory Maple Glazed Carrots, too.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Great Make-Ahead Side: Let the slow cooker do the work for you! Set them, and forget them, and when you’re ready to serve, you’ll have a delicious side dish
Rich and Creamy Texture: With tender, creamy potatoes and a rich sauce, this dish is indulgent and cheesy, and hits every comfort food flavor note.
Feeds a Crowd: This slow-cooked version of a cheesy casserole is the perfect dish to feed a big group. Whether you’re bringing it to a party or serving it at your own gathering, the potatoes stay warm in the slow cooker and you don’t have to dirty another dish.
Customizable: This recipe is easy to adjust. Get creative by adding in different cheeses, veggies, or proteins based on who you’re feeding. Almost anything goes!

Ingredients

Frozen Shredded Hash Browns: Use your favorite brand in the freezer section. You can use diced too, but we like the texture of the shredded hash browns.
Cream Of Chicken Soup: A great pantry staple. Creamy and savory, this creates a rich sauce.
Milk: We like to use whole milk here.
Onion: Optional, but adds great flavor. So we recommend it.
Cheddar Jack Cheese: The cheese for these cheesy potatoes! Cheddar jack is super melty for that gooey deliciousness, but use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a combination of all three.
Garlic Salt and Paprika: Lightly seasons and flavors the dish.

How To Make Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes

1. Lightly spray the inside of a slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Add the frozen shredded hash browns to the slow cooker and spread them evenly.

uncooked frozen hashbrowns in bottom of slow cooker

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, garlic salt, and paprika until smooth.

cheesy potatoes creamy sauce in white bowl on counter with picture frame in background

4. Pour the mixture over the hash browns.

uncooked frozen hashbrowns with creamy sauce on top, in bottom of slow cooker

5. Sprinkle the chopped onion over the top, if using.
6. Add the shredded cheddar jack cheese and gently stir until everything is evenly combined.

uncooked frozen hashbrowns with creamy sauce and grated cheese on top in bottom of slow cooker

uncooked frozen hashbrowns mixed together with creamy sauce in bottom of slow cooker

7. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, stirring once halfway through if possible.
8. Stir well before serving and keep warm on the WARM setting.

shredded hasbrowns, creamy sauce and cheese mixed together, cooking in slow cooker

Expert Tips

The Perfect Potato: We like the convenience and ease of frozen hash browns, but you could certainly use shredded or diced fresh potatoes. We like Russets for their tender, fluffy texture. They have a high starch content too, so they’ll soak up the cheese sauce nicely.
Get Rid of Excess Moisture: Potatoes can hold excess water, so it’s important to pat them dry before adding to the slow cooker.
When To Add Cheese: We recommend adding in most of your cheese to the potatoes from the start. This will mix in and melt nicely with the soup base for a nice creamy texture. But if you’re going to top the potatoes with more cheese (which is a great choice), hold off until the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, so it doesn’t curdle or leave you with a leathery blanket of cheese.
Get Creative With Mix-In’s and Toppings: Add in diced bell peppers or jalapeños for a little kick, or crispy bacon or diced ham for extra protein. You could even top the potatoes with butter cracker breadcrumbs, cornflakes, or fried onions for crunch.
Shred Your Own Cheese: It’s worth it, believe us. The pre-shredded stuff often has a coating that prevents it from melting well, and it has a grainy, slightly gritty texture when melted.

What To Serve With Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes

These potatoes are delicious on their own, but if you want to make a meal out of them, serve these alongside simply sautéed veggies or a fresh salad, and a few of our favorites here. They’re a great side dish for a special holiday meal or an easy weeknight dinner.

Storage

Store any leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just be sure to remove them from the slow cooker and cool completely. We don’t recommend freezing the leftovers as they will change texture once they thaw.

To reheat, place the potatoes in an oven-safe dish and warm at 350ºF until hot and bubbly, and the cheese is melty, about 15 minutes. You can also microwave these potatoes if you’re in a pinch.

a spoonful of cooked cheesy potatoes coming out of slow cooker with cheese pull, with slow cooker in background

FAQs

How do I prevent crockpot cheesy potatoes from burning?

Be sure to thoroughly grease the base of the slow-cooker, and stir occasionally to make sure the potatoes aren’t sticking. If it seems like they’re beginning to burn, switch to the LOW setting, and you can always add a splash of milk to loosen things up if needed.

Can I add meat to slow cooker cheesy potatoes?

Absolutely. Just be sure to pre-cook the meat before mixing into the potatoes. Crispy bacon, cubed ham, or crumbled sausage would be delicious.

What type of cheese is best for slow cooker cheesy potatoes?

Cheddar and Monterey jack have great, classic flavor and melt well, while American is ideal for smoothness. Cream Cheese adds a nice tang, but you’ll want to pair this with one of these other easy melting cheeses. You can use a combination and experiment with what tastes best to you!

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