Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes are the easiest comfort food. They’re slow-cooked until tender, then topped with loads of melty cheese.
author’s note
Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes That Disappear Fast!
There’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of cheesy potatoes, and the only thing better is making them with zero hassle. That’s where the crockpot comes in.
I love serving cheesy potatoes at Thanksgiving (it’s become a bit of a tradition), but I never have enough stove space. So I got to work perfecting them in the slow cooker, and honestly, I’m never going back. These turn out melt-in-your-mouth perfect. They’re so good, everyone always asks for the recipe, and I find myself craving them all year long!
Ingredients In Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
| Ingredient | Quick Tip / Easy Swap |
|---|---|
| Petite Gold Potatoes | Baby Yukon Golds or peeled russets work too. |
| Mild Italian Sausage | Want heat? Use hot Italian sausage. Prefer mild? Brown ground beef or turkey instead. |
| Yellow Onion | No fresh onion on hand? Stir in 1 teaspoon onion powder right before slow-cooking. |
| Beef Broth | Veggie or chicken broth swap in perfectly. |
| Smoked Paprika | Dial it up with chipotle powder for smoky heat, or omit entirely. |
| Salt & Black Pepper | Taste before serving—sausage and cheese add plenty of salt, so you may need less. |
| Freshly Shredded Cheddar | Mix in Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a melty blend. Always shred cheese yourself for the smoothest melt. |
How To Make Cheesy Potatoes In A Crockpot:
- Brown Cook sausage and onion in a skillet until nicely browned.
- Load Layer sliced potatoes, seasonings, sausage mixture, and broth in the crockpot.
- Cook Cover and cook 3–4 hours on HIGH or 6–7 hours on LOW until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Cheese Stir in freshly shredded cheddar; let it melt for a few minutes.
- Serve Spoon into bowls, add any favorite toppings, and dig in!
Tips For Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes:
- Choose the right potato: I highly recommend Petite Gold potatoes (also called gourmet or baby Yukon Golds). They hold their shape but still get soft and buttery.
- Slice evenly: Thin, even slices cook more consistently and ensure every bite is tender.
- Customize the heat: The recipe includes paprika and mild Italian sausage for a small kick. For a spicier version, swap in hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of cayenne. Prefer mild? Skip the paprika or use ground beef instead.
Serve These Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes With
- I love having a fruit salad with all the meat and potatoes. Or, depending on the season, try a winter fruit salad.
- This Quinoa Salad would make an amazing side to this dish and complete a well-balanced meal.
- A Cucumber Salad or Caprese Salad would lighten everything up!
More Slow Cooker Comfort Food:
Soups And Stews
Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Side Dishes
Crockpot Au Gratin Potatoes
Dinner
Crockpot Chili
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food! Slow-cooked until tender, then smothered in plenty of melty cheese—easy, delicious, and totally irresistible.
Equipment
- 6-quart Crock-Pot 6-quart
Ingredients
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage
- 1 yellow onion diced, optional
- 2 pounds baby gold potatoes thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
- 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the sausage and optional chopped yellow onion. Drain off any fat. Add to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Meanwhile, thinly slice the baby gold potatoes. (See the second photo in the post for size; just under 1/8-inch thick.) Add to the slow cooker, along with paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. (Season to taste with salt and pepper; I use 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. You can always add more at the end if needed.)
- Add in the beef broth. Stir everything together and cover the Crock-Pot.
- Cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for 6–7 hours or until potatoes are tender. Once everything is finished cooking, taste and adjust salt and pepper to preference.
- Add the freshly shredded cheese in an even layer over everything (or on individual serving plates—I like this way best!) and allow it to melt. Garnish if desired with fresh parsley.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Store leftover Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warm, adding a splash of milk if needed. Freezing isn’t recommended as the texture may change.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 815kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 1250mg | Potassium: 1428mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 599IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 473mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Could I substitute hash browns for the potatoes?
I haven’t tested with hashbrowns so I can’t say for sure, but I worry they might cook faster than the thinly sliced potatoes, so if you do test it watch the timing.
I’ve made this a couple of times, once in my instant pot and once in my ninja Foodi multi. Both times it turned out great! I have it going right now in the ninja once again. i’m going to use a combination of cheeses today, including Monterey jack and sharp cheddar. It should be delicious. Thanks for such a nice and easy recipe.
By the way, the last time I made it toward the very end of the cook time I added about a cup of pico de gallo and that really makes it even more delicious!
Ohh wow yummy! I’m so glad it’s been such a hit for you! Thanks Dee! 🙂
Hi there making this dish for my family tonight but I’m so confused about the Italian seasoning do I prepare the pack like a dressing or use it as just a spice I love how it’s set up to show us what to buy at what store we use but I can’t figure out this one thing out. I looked and looked and couldn’t figure this out I’m not a cook so I half to have things in detail hope to hear back asap
Just Italian seasoning like a spice 🙂 Enjoy!
Can I sub meat with ground beef?
Yes, I think you’ll want some more seasonings though because it could turn out a little bland
My husband adapted this to the Instapot and it was delish! It is a keeper! Thanks for a great recipe!
That’s so awesome! I’m thrilled you guys loved it! Thanks Mary! 🙂
Can this be adapted to cook in the oven?
Yes! Thank you so much 🙂 I am enjoying your recipes!
Instructions are not showing up? Do I throw everything together and cook on high or low for three hours?
So strange; I’ve reset the recipe are you seeing them now?
Any idea on how to make this in an Instant Pot instead of a crockpot?