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’
Can you cook on low for 7-8 hours?
I have not tested it. Casseroles like this one can burn on the edges for that long.
There is no way you can cook it that long. At the four hour time limit the potatoes were completely done and any longer they would’ve scorched. Are used old age cheese and I absolutely loved it. I followed this recipe And they came out wonderful. My husband who likes my cooking absolutely loved this! Good recipe and good job magical slow cooker.
Can you use dehydrated potatoes
I have not tried, I apologize. I would think it would need more liquid if so.
Can u use kielbasa sausage instead of hamburger
I think that should work fine!
Very good! I halved the salt and doubled the pepper. Didn’t have stock so I used the pan drippings supplemented with water, but I misread the recipe and used 8 oz.
Glad you enjoyed it and were able to make adjustments to your taste.
I made this and it was very good. I’ll use this again, maybe try it with leftover Christmas ham. However, 4 hours on high burnt the edges, so I’ll adjust it next time. thanks
Can you halve the ingredients for less people and if so less cooking time ? Also could I use casserole beef instead of the ground beef ? Ymthanks hoping to make this as soon as I hear back from you. Thank you.
I would stick with ground beef, I don’t think cubed beef would get tender enough in this recipe. The timing would have to be tested, potatoes take quite a bit of time.
Cooking 4 hrs.,seems that it dries it out.
What can I do?
You could add more broth, or slice your potatoes thinner and you won’t have to cook as long.
Can I use parmesan cheese instead?
Yes! I have another potato recipe (campfire potatoes) that uses parmesan and it’s great.
Potatoes perfectly tender…perfect texture.. pleasing to the eye.. but the taste…mediocre at best. I dusted my plate with salt and pepper and it still was kinda bland…and bitter. Sorry
That’s your fault for not seasoning well. I’m pretty sure if you followed her directions it would have taste….ijs
Can I use something other than chicken broth
Beef broth if you have it.
Would definitely recommend. Turned out very flavorful.
Would it throw off the recipe to add more ground beef?
It will be fine 🙂
Can you add sour cream or cream of chicken soup?
I don’t see why not!
yum was delicious
Made this tonight. Good taste, but came out pretty greasy and the cheese was pretty much not visible. The beef was drained and cheese put in at the beginning of the cook as in the directions. I think putting the cheese in the last 20 minutes as someone suggested would be best to solve that problem. Any thought on what there was so much grease? Would like to make again and try to get a dryer version.
did you use real cheese or artificial cheese food?
Real cheese
Can this become a freezer meal?
I’ve never had luck with potaotes in the freezer.
Can I add a can of corn??
Yes, I would drain it well.
Could this be made in the oven instead?
I don’t see why not.
It was so good, and not difficult to make
Yum! Next time I would add a whole cup of broth