Cheesy Pioneer Woman Crockpot Potatoes Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s crockpot cheesy potatoes promise warm, comforting goodness straight from your slow cooker.

Creamy, rich textures meld perfectly with hearty potato chunks and melted cheese layers.

Weeknight dinner dilemmas disappear when such a simple dish can transform ordinary ingredients into something spectacular.

Family members will eagerly gather around the table, anticipating each decadent bite.

Slow-cooking methods guarantee tender potatoes infused with robust cheese flavors and aromatic herbs.

Weekends or busy evenings become delightful culinary experiences with minimal kitchen effort.

Why Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes Are So Satisfying

• Effortless Comfort Cooking: Crockpot magic transforms simple potatoes into a creamy, cheesy dream without constant monitoring, perfect for busy home cooks who crave delicious meals with minimal effort.
• Luxurious Layered Flavor Explosion: Carefully building layers of sliced potatoes and rich cheese sauce creates depth of taste, with each bite delivering a harmonious blend of Cheddar and Gruyere that melts smoothly and tantalizes taste buds.
• Slow-Cooked Texture Perfection: The extended cooking time ensures potatoes become incredibly tender, developing a melt-in-your-mouth consistency that's impossible to achieve with faster cooking methods, making this dish a true comfort food masterpiece.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Sidekick: This recipe works brilliantly for family dinners, holiday gatherings, potlucks, and weeknight meals, offering a universally loved side dish that complements everything from roasted meats to grilled vegetables.

What Goes Into These Creamy, Cheesy Potatoes

Main Ingredients:

• Russet Potatoes: Starchy potatoes perfect for creamy slow-cooked dishes with excellent texture and absorption capabilities.
• Red Potatoes: Alternative potato option with waxy texture that holds shape well during long cooking times.

• Cheddar Cheese, Gruyere Cheese: Rich, melty cheeses that provide deep flavor and smooth, creamy consistency to the dish.

• Butter: Creates rich base for sauce and helps develop deep, golden flavors during cooking.
• Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious, silky texture and helps bind sauce ingredients together.
• Flour: Thickening agent that helps create smooth, stable sauce without lumps.

• Onion: Adds sweet, foundational flavor to the overall dish.
• Garlic: Brings depth and aromatic quality to the potato mixture.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances overall seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat and subtle spice to complement cheese.
• Fresh Thyme: Introduces herbal, earthy undertones to complement creamy potatoes.

• Nonstick Cooking Spray: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking in slow cooker.

How to Make Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes with Ease

Step 1: Sauté Onions with Butter

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add chopped onions and cook until they turn soft and translucent, about 4-6 minutes.

Step 2: Add Aromatic Garlic

Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until the kitchen fills with a delicious aroma.

Step 3: Create Creamy Roux

Add remaining butter to the skillet. Sprinkle in flour and continuously stir until the mixture turns light brown and becomes smooth, approximately 1 minute.

Step 4: Whisk Luxurious Sauce

• Kosher salt
• Chopped thyme
• Black pepper

Increase heat to medium and simmer sauce until it thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Blend Cheesy Goodness

• Shredded Cheddar cheese
• Shredded Gruyere cheese

Stir until sauce becomes silky smooth.

Step 6: Layer Potato Casserole

• 1/3 of sliced potatoes
• 1/3 of cheese sauce

Repeat layering, ending with cheese sauce on top.

Step 7: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover crockpot and set to LOW. Cook for 6-7 hours until potatoes become tender when pierced with a knife.

Step 8: Rest and Garnish

Turn off slow cooker and let dish rest uncovered for 20 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with extra thyme and black pepper.

Tips for Gooey, Flavorful Crockpot Potatoes

• Soak Smartly: Rinse potato slices in cold water to remove excess starch, preventing a gummy texture and helping the cheese sauce coat each layer more effectively.
• Shred Strategically: Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-packaged varieties, as it melts smoother and provides a more authentic, rich flavor profile.
• Season Generously: Don't skimp on seasonings – mix in garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of paprika to elevate the overall taste of your cheesy potato dish.
• Check Moisture: Monitor liquid levels during cooking to avoid dry potatoes, adding a splash of chicken broth if the mixture seems too thick or starts to stick.
• Cool Cleverly: Rest the crockpot dish at room temperature for 15 minutes after cooking, which helps the cheese sauce set and intensifies the creamy, comforting flavors.

Best Way to Store Leftover Cheesy Potatoes

• Refrigerate: Seal cooled potatoes in an airtight container, preventing moisture and preserving flavor. Place container in the coldest part of your refrigerator for maximum freshness, keeping cheese sauce intact and potatoes deliciously creamy for up to 5 days.
• Reheat: Revive cold potatoes by warming them in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture and prevent drying out. Sprinkle extra cheese on top for a melty, golden finish that brings back the original dish's irresistible appeal.
• Quick Serving Tip: Transfer refrigerated potatoes to an oven-safe dish before reheating. Spread evenly to ensure uniform warming and maintain the original texture. Stir gently halfway through reheating to distribute heat and keep cheese sauce smooth and appetizing.

Tasty Ways to Switch Up This Potato Dish

• Herb Fusion Potatoes: Swap thyme with rosemary and add chopped fresh sage for an earthy, aromatic herb profile that elevates the classic cheesy potato recipe.
• Spicy Southwest Splash: Mix in diced green chiles, sprinkle smoked paprika, and add pepper jack cheese to create a zesty, southwestern-inspired version with a kick of heat.
• Bacon Lover's Dream: Crisp up bacon pieces and layer them between potato slices, then sprinkle crumbled bacon on top for an extra savory and crunchy texture that complements the creamy cheese sauce.
• Vegetable Power Boost: Incorporate thinly sliced bell peppers, spinach, and mushrooms between potato layers to add nutritional value and create a more complex, vegetable-rich casserole.

Slow-Cooked Comfort That Hits the Spot

Crockpot cheesy potatoes emerge as comfort cuisine perfection from Pioneer Woman’s kitchen magic.

Ranch-style cooking meets gourmet potential with this creamy potato marvel.

Slow-cooked layers meld butter, cream, and premium cheeses into an irresistible side dish.

Classic ingredients transform into extraordinary culinary experiences through patient preparation.

Cheese sauce cascading between potato slices creates ultimate indulgence for family gatherings.

Powerful aromas and rich textures beckon fellow epicureans – share this recipe, comment with your potato memories, and spread deliciousness across social networks!

Pioneer Woman Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

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4.5 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Pioneer Woman Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes blend creamy Wisconsin cheddar with russet potato slices for comfort cuisine perfection. Slow-cooker magic creates a rich, golden side dish that welcomes family gatherings with irresistible warmth and cheesy goodness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 pounds Russet potatoes (approximately 4 large), peeled and thinly sliced
• 1.5 cups sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1.5 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 2.5 cups heavy cream

Dairy and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Herbs and Spices:

• 4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, finely chopped, extra for garnish
• 1.5 teaspoons black pepper, extra for garnish

Additional:

• Nonstick cooking spray for greasing

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Instructions

1. Transform butter into a silky base by gently melting it in a large skillet over medium-low heat (62°C / 144°F). Introduce finely chopped onions and allow them to become translucent and soft, requiring approximately 4-6 minutes of patient cooking.
2. Infuse aromatic depth by incorporating minced garlic into the onion mixture. Stir continuously for an additional minute, releasing the garlic’s fragrant essence.
3. Craft a foundational roux by introducing the remaining butter to the skillet. Once completely liquefied, incorporate flour and whisk persistently until the mixture achieves a light golden-brown consistency and smooth texture, which typically takes about 1 minute.
4. Develop a luxurious sauce by gradually introducing heavy cream, whisking methodically to prevent any potential lumping. Integrate kosher salt, freshly chopped thyme, and ground black pepper. Elevate the heat to medium and allow the sauce to simmer, thickening for approximately 5 minutes.
5. Finalize the cheese sauce by removing the skillet from heat. Gradually fold in shredded Cheddar and Gruyere cheeses, creating a smooth, velvety consistency through gentle whisking.
6. Prepare the slow cooker by thoroughly coating its interior with nonstick cooking spray. Construct strategic layers by distributing sliced potatoes in even thirds, alternating with generous pourings of cheese sauce. Ensure the final layer is a decadent coating of cheese sauce.
7. Initiate slow cooking by securing the lid and setting the appliance to LOW temperature. Allow the dish to transform over 6 to 7 hours, verifying doneness by effortlessly inserting a knife through the potatoes.
8. Complete the culinary experience by allowing the dish to rest uncovered for 20 minutes, enabling further thickening. Enhance presentation by sprinkling additional fresh thyme and a delicate dusting of black pepper before serving.

Notes

• Slow cooking transforms ordinary potatoes into a luxurious, creamy comfort food experience that’ll wow your dinner guests.
• Minimal prep work means you can assemble this cheesy delight quickly and let the slow cooker do the magic.
• Layering technique ensures every potato slice gets completely bathed in a rich, velvety cheese sauce.
• Gruyere and Cheddar blend creates a complex, nutty flavor that elevates this classic potato side dish beyond expectations.
• Weekend meal prep becomes a breeze with this make-ahead friendly recipe that keeps warm and tastes even better the next day.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 727 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 645 mg
• Fat: 55 g
• Saturated Fat: 34 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 155 mg