Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin
360 CommentsUpdated Mar 10, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes, that will work great.
Can I bake this in the oven if I don’t have a crockpot big enough? And if so for how long?
I have not tested in the oven, I apologize. Though I’m sure it would work.
I had a ton of ground beef and a bag of potatoes to use up. So happy I found this recipe. The onion is essential!
Would this work with less cheese and vegetable broth instead? I’m trying to use up the rest of some stuff in my fridge 🙂
I don’t see why not!
If I do 2lb of ground bison how long do I have to cook for ? Will it still be 4 hours?
Yes, I would cook for the same amount of time, 4 hours.
Can I use thin round steak instead of ground beef? And Do I need to brown it first before I put it into the crock pot?
I don’t see why not, since it will cook up fine with the potatoes. You do not need to brown it.
So I can just cut the thin round steak into thin strips and put it in place of the hamburger without browning it, is that correct? I love this dish,and I make it all the time
So I can just cut the thin round steak into thin strips and put it in place of the hamburger in the crock pot and I do not have to precook it,?is that correct?We love this dish and I make it all the time just the way you do.
Can this be cooked on low instead of high in the slow cooker? I wanted to make it tomorrow, but I go to work at 9:30 and it would get done too early if cooked on high.
Casserole-type recipes in the slow cooker can’t go too long. They tend to burn on the edges. You may be able to get away with 6 hours on low though.
My question is from my experience potatoes take so long to cook well done in the slow cooker even when cut small. I’m going to try this in my slow cooker tonight and hopefully it will be done for tomorrow afternoon to eat. I will report back with my findings
Keep the lid on the entire time for sure!
I was afraid this wasn’t going to be good. But it WAS GOOD!! I’m making it again tomorrow night. Going to experiment a bit and add some cream of mushroom soup. It was really good, I just think it was missing that tiny “something”.
Looks good
Making this tonight, I’m using Ground Bison. I also went with smoked paprika,and added a 1/2 cup of red wine