This Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin is an easy from-scratch hearty meal!
I love a hearty one-pot meal in the slow cooker like this one and my Seasoned Chicken and Veggies Recipe or Homestyle Pot Roast Dinner.
I can eat au gratin potatoes by the plate full! I decided to add ground beef to homemade potatoes au gratin and came up with this fabulous hearty meal.
I really enjoyed creating this recipe. I knew that the potatoes would need some heavy seasoning, so I went heavy with the salt and pepper, but also added garlic powder, paprika and parsley.
The potatoes go in the slow cooker peeled, though I don’t mind skin on for most recipes this one tastes great without.
How to make Beef and Potato Au Gratin in the crockpot:
- Brown ground beef on the stovetop, add salt and pepper to taste.
- Peel russet potatoes and lay them on the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a small bowl combine the paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Add half of the potatoes in the slow cooker. Sprinkle over half of the onions, half of the seasonings, half of the meat, and half of the cheese. Repeat the layers again.
- Drizzle over the broth.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours. (see full recipe below)
Can I use bacon instead of ground beef?
Yes! Brown one package (12-16 ounces) of bacon, crumble and use in place of the beef in this recipe.
Can I use a different type of potato?
Use any type of potato in this recipe just be sure to thinly slice them.
- Red Potatoes
- Gold Potatoes
- White Potatoes
How to serve Beef and Potato Au Gratin:
- Serve as a main dish.
- If desired add a green salad or steamed green veggies.
- Enjoy!
Does your family enjoy ground beef? Try more of my ground beef recipes:
- Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole
- Slow Cooker Land Your Man Baked Beans
- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
- Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Chili
- Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash
Slow Cooker Beef and Potatoes Au Gratin
Equipment Needed:
- Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground beef plus a touch of salt and pepper to season
- 3 lbs. peeled russet potatoes sliced a ¼ inch thick (about 7 cups total after being sliced)
- 1 cup thinly sliced white onion
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or beef broth
Instructions:
- Brown the ground beef on the stove top, drain fat. Add a touch of salt and pepper to season.
- In a small bowl combine the paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Add half of the potatoes in the slow cooker. Sprinkle over half of the onions, half of the seasonings, half of the meat, and half of the cheese. Repeat the layers again.
- Drizzle over the broth evenly over the layers.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. Do not open the lid during the cooking time or the potatoes will not get soft.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition:
Need an Instant Pot Version of this? Try this version:
Instant Pot Beef and Potato Au Gratin from The Centsable Shoppin’
Love it!! I changed it up s bit cooked onion and 8oz bacon with the hamburger then 30min or so before done put the chease on top..
After reading the comments, I decided to bake it in a round 9 inch casserole dish (I’m sure a square inch baking pan would do as well) at 375 for an hour. It was pretty good and tasted similar to tater tot casserole, although I would prefer this casserole because of the fresh potatoes. Not bad.
This is reminiscent of 1950s cooking. Pleasant taste but a bit tame. Make this for that person who avoids eating anything with a chili. I cooked on low for 7 hours which suited my timeframe better.
This wash delish!!! I made no changes and it was a hit with the family!! Thank you!
Loved it! But it was fully done after only 3 hours. Planned to eat at 6 pm so we ate early! Anyone else have this happen?
You know what? I really think it depends on the potatoes! Some are early, late or just on time for this. Even I’ve had varied times.
Has anyone tried this in an insta pot? What would be settings and time and temp? I dont have a 6 quart crockpot only a 4 quart. And I think a splash of heavy cream would make this wonderful
I made this tonight and it is delicious! I layered in a 9×13 pan and baked at 375F for 1 hour.
Thank you for oven directions!
Did you cover it?
Can ingredients except for broth be put together the night before then cooked next day
The potatoes will brown. Could slice the potatoes and put them in water, then assemble in the morning.
Loved this! Will make again!!
This is my 4th time making and it turns out great each time I do add an extra splash of broth though. Love this recipe!!!
I’m a little confused at the negative comments as this turned out GREAT – cheesy potatoes, how could that possibly be bad?! Gonna make it again tomorrow, thanks!
My kiddos loved it. The only thing i would cjange is to not add any cheese until 20 minutes before serving there was nothing left of the cheese that was in the whole cooking time. Otherwise this was great!!!!
Can you cook on low for 8 hours instead of high for 4 hours? I would need to set before I leave for work.
I don’t think there is enough moisture in this for it to cook that long without burning.
I add 2 cups broth and cook on low for 7 hours! You can always make adjustments later to suite individual taste.
No crock par need to do in over please help time and temp
Terrible recipe!! Meat ends up overcooked and potatoes no where near done
Whole family enjoyed this. Flavorful and easy to make. I baked it vs crock pot. Cover with foil if you try it this way.
How long did u bake it for?
Im going to bake it. I’ll let you know.
Hello, When I use my Crock Pot, I always seem to get a lot of Liquid. How do I prevent this?
Your receipe looks dry, How did you manage that.
This reicpe isn’t covered in liquid because there is no moist meat in it like a roast. 🙂 most slow cooker recipes have a meat in them that produce a lot of liquid.
What can I use in place of the cheese? My husband does not eat dairy or gluten
Just leave it out. The recipe doesn’t need to be exact, unlike if you were, say, baking a cake. Or you could try dairy free or lactose free cheese
Loved the recipe! I didn’t have thyme or garlic powder., so I used minced garlic instead and left the thyme out. There was a lot of liquid in the bottom of the crockpot in the end, so I spooned it out into baking dish, topped with more cheese, and baked in a 350 dig oven for 5 minutes. Everyone thought it was delicious.
Thyme? I didn’t see that in the recipe.
Cooking this tomorrow. Cannot wait to taste it!