Description
A hearty, comforting casserole made with tender potatoes, savory bacon, cheese, and a hint of smokiness. This slow cooker dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or a crowd-pleasing side at your next gathering.
Ingredients
For the Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole:
- 2 pounds (about 4 cups) frozen hash browns, thawed
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled (or substitute with sausage)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your choice of cheese)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom soup)
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
If you’re using bacon, cook it in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on paper towels to drain the excess grease. After it cools slightly, crumble it into small pieces.
If you prefer sausage, cook it in the skillet until browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat before adding it to the casserole.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, cooked bacon (or sausage), shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, chopped onion, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined. The mixture should be creamy and slightly thick.
Lightly grease the insert of the slow cooker with cooking spray or butter. Transfer the casserole mixture into the slow cooker and spread it out evenly. Use a spatula to press the ingredients down, ensuring an even layer.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. Cooking on low allows the flavors to meld together slowly, while cooking on high speeds up the process. Either way, the result will be a creamy, cheesy casserole with tender potatoes.
After about 5-6 hours, check the casserole to see if the potatoes are fork-tender and the cheese is fully melted. The top should be slightly golden brown, and the casserole should have a bubbly, creamy texture.
Once the casserole is done cooking, give it a quick stir before serving. If desired, sprinkle the casserole with chopped green onions for added color and flavor. Serve hot as a main dish or as a side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high
Nutrition
- Calories: 350-400 kcal
- Fat: 20-25g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35g
- Protein: 12-15g