Description
A comforting and hearty Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin recipe featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, sliced russet potatoes, onions, and melted sharp cheese, slow-cooked to perfection for a rich and creamy dish perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Vegetables
- 3 pounds peeled russet potatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick (about 7 cups)
- 1 cup thinly sliced onion
Dairy and Liquids
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheese
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1 can (approx. 10.5 oz) condensed cheddar cheese soup
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Mix seasoning: In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper thoroughly to create the seasoning blend.
- Layer potatoes: Place half of the sliced potatoes evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker, forming the first layer.
- Add soup and mix: Pour the can of condensed cheddar cheese soup over the potatoes. Stir gently if needed to evenly distribute the soup among the potatoes.
- Add onions, seasoning, meat, and cheese: Sprinkle half of the sliced onions over the potatoes and soup. Evenly distribute half of the seasoning mixture, followed by half of the browned ground beef, and then half of the shredded sharp cheese.
- Repeat layering: Add another layer by repeating the previous step with the remaining potatoes, onions, seasonings, meat, and cheese to build the second layer.
- Add broth and cook: Drizzle the 3/4 cup beef broth evenly over the top layer to keep the dish moist. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 4 hours.
- Serve: When cooking time is complete and potatoes are tender, serve the Au Gratin warm straight from the slow cooker.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, slice potatoes uniformly at 1/4 inch thickness.
- You can substitute sharp cheddar cheese with a blend of cheeses for varied flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter dish, reduce the amount of cheese or use low-fat options.
- Cooking on low for 7-8 hours is an alternative for a slower cook method with even more tender potatoes.
- Ensure to drain the beef well to avoid excess grease in the slow cooker.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker beef au gratin, beef and potato casserole, slow cooker dinner, au gratin potatoes, ground beef recipe
