Slow Cooker Beef and Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe
This Slow Cooker Beef and Potatoes Au Gratin is a hearty, comforting dish featuring layers of tender sliced russet potatoes, seasoned ground beef, onions, and sharp cheese, all slowly cooked to perfection in a flavorful beef broth. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal, this recipe brings together classic au gratin flavors with the convenience of a slow cooker.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Layer
- 1 lb. ground beef, seasoned with salt and pepper
Potato Layer
- 3 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick (about 7 cups after slicing)
Seasoning
- 1 tsp. paprika
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. parsley
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup thinly sliced white onion
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheese
- ½ cup beef broth (or chicken broth)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Mix the seasonings: In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper to create the seasoning blend.
- Layer the ingredients: Place half of the sliced potatoes in the slow cooker to form the first layer. Sprinkle half of the sliced onions evenly over the potatoes, then sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture. Add half of the cooked ground beef over the seasoned onions, followed by half of the shredded cheese. Repeat these layering steps with the remaining potatoes, onions, seasoning, beef, and cheese to create a second layer.
- Add broth: Drizzle the beef broth evenly over the layered ingredients to help keep the dish moist and flavorful during cooking.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on high for 4 hours. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to ensure the potatoes become soft and fully cooked.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the beef and potatoes au gratin hot and enjoy this comforting, cheesy casserole.
Notes
- Make sure to slice the potatoes evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Do not open the slow cooker lid during cooking to prevent heat loss which can result in undercooked potatoes.
- You can substitute sharp cheddar cheese with other cheeses like Gruyère or Monterey Jack for variation.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the broth to ¼ cup, but do not omit as it helps cook the potatoes.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; reheat on low in the slow cooker or in the oven.
Keywords: slow cooker beef and potatoes, au gratin, easy casserole recipe, comfort food, cheesy potato casserole, ground beef recipe
