Description
This Slow Cooker Beef and Potatoes Au Gratin recipe is a delicious and comforting one-pot meal perfect for busy days. Ground beef is cooked and layered with thinly sliced russet potatoes, onions, and a savory blend of spices, then topped with sharp shredded cheese and slow-cooked until tender and flavorful. The slow cooker method allows for a hands-off approach, resulting in perfectly soft potatoes and richly melded flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb. ground beef (seasoned with salt and pepper)
Vegetables
- 3 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick (about 7 cups)
- 1 cup thinly sliced white onion
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tsp. paprika
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. parsley
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
Dairy
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheese
Liquids
- ½ cup beef broth (can substitute chicken broth)
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until fully browned. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat and season the beef with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Prepare Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure even distribution of the spices.
- Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Arrange half of the sliced potatoes evenly on the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle half of the sliced onions over the potatoes. Then add half of the seasoning mix, followed by half of the cooked ground beef and half of the shredded cheese. Repeat these layers with the remaining potatoes, onions, seasoning, beef, and cheese.
- Add Broth: Pour the beef broth evenly over the layered ingredients in the slow cooker. This will help cook the potatoes and keep the dish moist.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the high setting for 4 hours. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to maintain temperature and ensure the potatoes become soft and tender.
- Serve: Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the lid. Serve the beef and potatoes au gratin hot, ideally with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use russet potatoes for best texture in au gratin recipes because they become tender and creamy.
- Do not open the slow cooker lid during cooking to avoid loss of heat and undercooked potatoes.
- You can substitute beef broth with chicken broth if preferred.
- For extra flavor, add a bit of shredded cheese on top about 15 minutes before the end of cooking for a melted cheesy crust.
- If you like a thicker sauce, reduce the broth slightly or add a tablespoon of flour to the beef before layering.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker beef, potatoes au gratin, ground beef casserole, slow cooked potatoes, comfort food, easy dinner recipe
