Are you craving a comforting and flavorful meal that’s easy to make? Look no further! This Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin recipe is a true classic that your whole family will love. With its cheesy goodness and amazing flavors, it’s the perfect comfort food for those chilly evenings.
Set It and Forget It!
With this recipe, you can save both time and energy in the kitchen. Simply gather your ingredients, toss them in the slow cooker, and let it do all the work for you. It’s a hassle-free way to make a wholesome and hearty meal that your family won’t be able to get enough of.
Must-Have Ingredients and Substitutes
Here’s what you’ll need for this delicious dish:
- Ground Beef: You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer.
- Russet Potatoes: Peel and slice the potatoes before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Beef Broth: This keeps the meat and potatoes juicy and flavorful. If you don’t have beef broth, water with beef bouillon works as well.
- Garlic Powder: Add more flavor to the dish with garlic powder. If you don’t have any, minced garlic is a great substitute.
- Shredded Sharp Cheese: The sharp cheese adds a special touch, but you can use cheddar cheese or your favorite kind instead.
You’ll also need salt, pepper, paprika, and diced onion. Once you’ve prepared the ground beef, you can start adding it and the potatoes to your slow cooker.
Variations to Explore
If you want to switch things up and add some variety to this dish, here are a few ideas:
- Try using chicken or turkey broth instead of beef broth for a different taste.
- Don’t have russet potatoes? No problem! You can use Yukon gold or red potatoes instead.
- Not a fan of ground beef? You can use ground meat alternatives, cubed steak, or even cubed chicken.
- Feel free to experiment with different seasonings. Instead of the traditional salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, try adding creole seasoning or cayenne pepper for a bit of spice.
Cooking Tips and FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about this recipe:
Q: Do I need to cook the ground beef before putting it in the slow cooker? A: Yes, you do. Simply brown the beef and drain it before adding it to the slow cooker with your potatoes and other ingredients.
Q: How long should I cook this in the slow cooker? A: Set the slow cooker on high and let it cook for four hours. It’s that easy!
Q: What type of onion should I use for this recipe? A: Yellow or white onions work best. While you can use red onions, keep in mind that they have a stronger flavor that may alter the dish’s overall taste.
Q: How many people does this meal serve? A: This recipe serves up to six people with generous portions of this delicious comfort meal.
Q: Can I add extra ingredients to the dish? A: Absolutely! Some people like to add veggies such as corn, peas, or carrots to the mix with the potatoes and ground beef.
Leftover Storage
If you happen to have leftovers, simply pour the contents of your slow cooker into an airtight Tupperware container and store it in the fridge for up to three days. Reheating is a breeze in the microwave. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months.
Enjoy this delicious Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin recipe with your family tonight!
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Equipment You’ll Need
Recipe Details
- Serves: 6
- Cook Time: 4 hours
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3 pounds peeled russet potatoes, sliced ¼ inch thick (about 7 cups total sliced)
- 1 cup thinly sliced onion
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheese
- ¾ cup beef broth
- 1 can of Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef on the stovetop and drain.
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add half of the sliced potatoes to the slow cooker.
- Pour in the condensed cheddar cheese soup and mix well.
- Sprinkle half of the sliced onions, half of the seasonings, half of the ground beef, and half of the shredded cheese over the potatoes.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
- Drizzle the beef broth evenly over the top.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours.
- Serve and enjoy!
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