Crock Pot Hamburger And Potato Casserole

December 28, 2023

overhead shot of a slow cooker full of beef and potatoes with a large wooden spoon

Your taste buds will be amazed when you find out how easy it is to make this crock pot hamburger and potato casserole recipe loaded with savory beef, potatoes and gooey cheese.

Jump to Recipe

Table of Contents

Slow Cooker Beef and Potatoes Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Crock Pot Hamburger And Potato Casserole Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
Popular Recipes

Come home to the aromas of this crock pot hamburger and potato casserole cooking away in your kitchen. Layers of beef, potatoes, and melted cheese create a mouthwatering and hearty meal that you won’t be able to get enough of.

Slow Cooker Beef and Potatoes Ingredients

slow cooker beef and potatoes raw ingredients that are labeled

This crock pot hamburger and potato casserole combines ground beef and onions for a rich base, while a mixture of beef broth, onion soup mix, and cream of mushroom soup adds depth and creaminess.

Sliced golden potatoes provide a satisfying starchiness, and a layer of shredded Colby jack cheese adds a delightful richness.

You’ll need:

1 tablespoon of olive oil
1½ pounds of lean ground beef
1 cup of diced yellow onion
1 cup of unsalted beef broth
1 envelope (from a 2.6-ounce box) of golden onion soup mix
1 (10.5-ounce) can of cream of mushroom soup
1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of black pepper
5 pounds of golden potatoes, sliced ⅛ to ¼-inch thick
16-ounce block of Colby jack cheese, shredded

PRO TIP:

Make sure that you use unsalted broth for this recipe. You can substitute chicken or vegetable broth for the beef. If you do not use an unsalted broth, you may want to cut back on the amount of salt you add to your recipe.

Substitutions And Additions

POTATOES: You can substitute white or russet potatoes for the golden potatoes in this simple recipe. Use a mandolin or food processor with a slicing attachment to prepare the potatoes quicker.

If you use the potato substitutions, I suggest you peel the potatoes first as their skin is much thicker than the golden potatoes.

CHEESE: You can substitute sharp cheddar cheese for the Colby jack in this slow cooker ground beef and potatoes recipe.

You can even do a mix of the two kinds of cheese. Another great option to add would be pepper jack cheese to your cheese blend.

GROUND BEEF: If you prefer leaner meat or have dietary restrictions, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.

YELLOW ONION: Customize the onion flavor by using red onions, sweet onions, or shallots instead of yellow onions.

Each type will add a distinct sweetness or mildness to the dish, altering the overall taste.

How To Make This Crock Pot Hamburger And Potato Casserole Recipe

Once you brown the ground beef and cook the onions, we will walk you through layering everything in the slow cooker before letting it do the rest of the work.

STEP ONE: In a medium skillet on medium-high heat, add the olive oil, ground beef, and diced onions.

Cook for five to six minutes or until no pink remains and the onions are tender. Make sure to break up the beef into crumbles.

Remove the cooked ground beef and onions and place them into a bowl or plate. Be sure to use a slotted spoon to allow all the excess rendered fat to remain in the skillet. Set aside.

ground beef and onions cooked in a skillet

STEP TWO: Add the unsalted beef broth, golden onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, salt, and black pepper to a mixing bowl with a pour spout.

Whisk to combine fully. Set aside.

broth, soup, and seasonings combined in a bowl

STEP THREE: In the insert of a large 6-quart slow cooker, evenly layer one-third of the sliced golden potatoes.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

I like to keep the skin on my golden potatoes because there are a lot of nutrients in the skin and it helps the potatoes hold their shape better during the long cooking time in the slow cooker. It also makes the prep time of your potatoes so much quicker when you do not have to peel the potatoes.

slices of potatoes layered in the bottom of a slow cooker

STEP FOUR: Sprinkle one-third of the ground beef mixture evenly over the potatoes.

STEP FIVE: Pour one-third of the liquid mixture over the sliced potatoes and beef, then top that with one-third of the grated Colby jack cheese.

liquid mixture and cheese added on top of the beef in the slow cooker

STEP SIX: Repeat steps three to five with the remaining ingredients. Your very top layer should be the final third of the shredded Colby jack cheese.

PRO TIP:

Your slow cooker will be very full after all the layers of potatoes, ground beef, and cheese are added.

As it cooks, it will reduce in your slow cooker. Do not remove the lid for the entire cooking time. You want to make sure that all the moisture created inside your slow cooker stays there to cook the potatoes.

At the 4½ hour mark, you can check to see if your potatoes are fork-tender. If so, they are done, but if not, you can cook them for an additional 30 minutes or so.

slow cooker assembled with layers of potato, meat, liquid mixture, and cheese

STEP SEVEN: Place the lid onto the slow cooker and turn it on the HIGH setting for 4½ hours or until the potatoes are fork tender.

PRO TIP:

You can keep your slow cooker beef and potatoes warm in your slow cooker for up to an hour until ready to serve. Most slow cookers have a warm or low setting.

I would not keep the slow cooker on warm any longer than an hour after the potatoes are fully cooked, as they will start to get mushy. I suggest keeping the lid on the slow cooker to prevent the potatoes from drying out.

beef and potatoes cooked in a slow cooker

How To Serve

Any slow cooker recipe makes for an easy weeknight meal, and this hearty dish is no exception.

Add sautéed vegetables, roasted vegetables, or a Caesar salad on the side.

Don’t forget the dinner rolls to mop up the extra sauce.

Try our Frito pie and Salisbury steak recipes as well – they’re both great options for easy dinners.

MORE SLOW COOKER RECIPES

Sausage Appetizers

Crockpot Little Smokies

Beef Dinner Ideas

Crockpot Swedish Meatballs

Storage

Here’s a guide to help you store, reheat, and make the most of your delicious casserole:

MAKE AHEAD: This slow cooker beef and potatoes recipe can be a great make-ahead meal.

Once it’s cooked and cooled, you can portion it into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags for convenient storage.

Refrigerate the portions you plan to consume within the next three to four days or freeze them for longer-term storage.

IN THE FRIDGE: You can store leftovers of this flavorful meal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To reheat, you may need to add a splash of broth to individual portions before warming them in the microwave for 45 to 60 seconds on high.

IN THE FREEZER: Freeze leftovers of this slow cooker beef and potatoes for up to three months stored in an airtight container.

REHEATING: To reheat your slow cooker beef and potatoes, you have several options:

MICROWAVE: Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it’s heated through.
OVEN: For larger portions, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and place the dish in an oven-safe container. Cover with foil to prevent drying out, and heat for 15-20 minutes or until it’s thoroughly heated.
STOVETOP: Reheat on the stovetop by placing the dish in a saucepan over low to medium heat. Stir occasionally until it’s heated evenly.

close up shot of a plate of beef and potatoes with a spoonful on a fork

Why We Love This Recipe

SIMPLICITY AT ITS BEST: This recipe is incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re short on time. With minimal effort, you can create a satisfying and hearty meal.

COMFORT FOOD: The combination of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese is a classic comfort food trio that’s sure to please both kids and adults alike.

This crock pot hamburger and potato casserole is pure comfort food packed with all kinds of rich savory flavors. The tender beef, soft potatoes, and melted cheese will make this hearty dinner a winner with the entire family

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of potato in this recipe?

You can substitute white or russet potatoes for the golden potatoes in this recipe. We would recommend peeling the potatoes if you are using these substitutes, as their peels are thicker and won’t soften up quite as well.

Can I add other veggies to this recipe?

You could add bell peppers or celery to this slow cooker recipe. Sauté them with the onions and beef to soften them up before adding to your slow cooker.

Can I freeze the leftovers of this recipe?

This delicious recipe can be frozen in an airtight container for up to three months.

More Recipes You’ll Love