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Easy Cheesy Slow Cooker Beef Potato Casserole

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A comforting slow cooker casserole with tender beef, melted cheese, and perfectly cooked potatoes. This set-it-and-forget-it meal is budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 4 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced (about ¼ inch thick)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned (6-8 minutes). Leave about 1 tablespoon of fat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cook 2 minutes until onion is translucent. Season with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir and remove from heat.
  2. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup and beef broth until smooth. Add dried thyme (if using) and remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
  3. Slice the potatoes: Wash and scrub potatoes (no need to peel). Slice into ¼-inch thick rounds, keeping them uniform for even cooking.
  4. Layer the casserole: Spray slow cooker with nonstick spray. Layer potatoes, then one-third of beef mixture, then one-third of cheese. Repeat layers twice more. Pour soup mixture evenly over top. Do not stir.
  5. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender and cheese is bubbly. For a golden top, remove lid in the last 30 minutes.
  6. Rest: Turn off slow cooker and let casserole rest 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the beef for depth of flavor. Slice potatoes evenly for even cooking. Layer, don’t mix, to avoid waterlogged potatoes. Check for doneness early (at 5 hours on LOW). Let casserole rest before serving to set layers. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cream of mushroom soup, dairy-free cheddar, and unsweetened almond milk instead of broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker casserole, beef potato casserole, cheesy casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, ground beef recipe

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