Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin
360 CommentsUpdated Mar 10, 2026
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If you’re looking for a hearty meal, this Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin is the perfect recipe to try. Packed with Russet potatoes, ground beef, and simple flavors, your family will love this dinner choice.
Featured Comment
“I tried this and it was amazing. Definitely cooking it again and again. The taste was so good. Wish I could show you photo of mine.”
This is a stick-to-your-ribs, meat-and-potatoes recipe! Who knew you could make potatoes au gratin with ground beef? Potatoes au gratin are similar to scalloped potatoes but have cheese added. The potatoes get ultra tender, and the flavors meld together perfectly during the slow cooking time. We love making crockpot recipes with ground beef.
I love a comforting one-pot meal in the slow cooker like this one and my Crockpot Chicken, Potatoes and Green Beans Recipe or Crockpot Pot Roast.
Key Ingredients
Potatoes: Just need cheap russet potatoes for this.
Ground Beef: Adding beef to the recipe makes this au gratin potato dish a complete meal.
Seasonings: These potatoes need heavy seasoning, so I went heavy with salt and pepper and added garlic powder, paprika, and parsley.
Onion: White onion adds flavor and heartiness to this delicious casserole recipe.
Beef broth: Evenly poured over all the layers to help everything cook evenly. Chicken broth works in a pinch!
Cheese: It’s best to use a block of sharp cheddar cheese for shredding as it melts the best in meals like this.
How to Make Potatoes Au Gratin with Beef
- Layer sliced potatoes with seasoned beef, onions, spices, and cheese in the crockpot.
- Pour broth over the layers, then cover and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Let it rest briefly, then scoop and serve while hot and cheesy.
Tips & Variations
Potato Type: Use any potato (red, gold, or white). Just be sure they are thinly sliced. You can even use sweet potatoes for an entirely different meal.
Skins: You can leave the skin on the potatoes if desired; it’s a personal preference.
Meat Swap: Brown one pound of bacon, crumble and use it in place of the beef in this recipe. You can also use ground turkey.
Change up the Cheese: Use Swiss cheese or pepper Jack for a totally different flavored meal.
Serving Suggestions
Here is how I serve this easy ground beef dinner:
Toppings: Though this slow cooker beef and potatoes is great as-is, you can top it with freshly ground pepper, hot sauce, green onions and sour cream.
Sides: Add a vegetable such as buttered corn, green beans or a salad. Of course, don’t forget the bread!
Do I have to brown the meat?
Yes. For this meal, it is very important to brown the beef first. If you don’t, the meat will release too much liquid and end up with a meatloaf-like consistency.
Slow Cooker Beef and Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe
How to Video
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
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheese
- ½ cup beef broth, or chicken 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!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Storing and Reheating:
Store the leftover beef and potatoes in the fridge for up to four days. I personally don’t think this freezes well, so eat leftovers up promptly.
More Slow Cooker Recipes with Ground Beef
John Wayne Casserole and Hamburger Potato Casserole are layered, cheesy dishes made with ground beef, potatoes, and plenty of flavor—perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
For something more versatile, Slow Cooker Ground Beef is great for prepping meals ahead, while Crockpot Salisbury Steak simmers in rich gravy with onions and mushrooms.
If you’re in the mood for cozy and satisfying, the Slow Cooker Chili is hearty and bold, and Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash is a one-pot mix of beef, potatoes, and veggies.
Delicious! Easy and very tasty. Kids loved it too. I added a few splashes of Worcester Sauce to the broth also. I may try adding peas with the beef layer next time.
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
I over seasoned in case and it was still bland 🙁 it’s pretty looking, but definitely needs more flavor. I think some in the comments suggest cream of mushroom, so maybe that’ll help. But I’m on the same page as you
Can I use something other than chicken broth
Beef broth if you have it.