Description
This hearty slow cooker cowboy potato casserole is a comforting, family-friendly dinner loaded with smoky sausage, crispy bacon, creamy potatoes, and gooey cheddar cheese. It’s easy to prep, perfect for busy nights, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 6 medium potatoes)
- 12 oz smoked sausage (beef or pork), sliced
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- Green onions, sliced (for garnish, optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Butter or nonstick spray (for greasing slow cooker)
Instructions
- Peel and dice potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Slice smoked sausage into 1/2-inch rounds. Dice onion and mince garlic. Chop bacon.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. (Optional: reserve 1 tbsp bacon fat for extra flavor.)
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Lightly grease the slow cooker insert with butter or nonstick spray. Layer half the potatoes on the bottom, then half the sausage, onion, garlic, creamy mixture, and bacon. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4–5 hours or LOW for 7–8 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender and casserole is bubbling.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese over the casserole. Cover and let melt for 10–15 minutes. (Optional: transfer to oven-safe dish and broil for 2–3 minutes for browned cheese.)
- Garnish with sliced green onions. Let casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit sausage and bacon and add mushrooms and bell peppers. Use gluten-free cream soup for gluten-free adaptation. For crispier bacon, reserve some to sprinkle on top after serving. If using frozen potatoes, add 30 minutes to cook time. Casserole reheats well; add a splash of milk or broth before microwaving leftovers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–5 hours (HIGH) or 7–8 hours (LOW)
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 950
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 17
Keywords: cowboy potato casserole, slow cooker casserole, family dinner, comfort food, easy casserole, smoked sausage, bacon, potatoes, cheddar cheese, crockpot recipe