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.
If cooking in the oven, what temp would you set it for and for how long?
Can I prepare everything and put in the refrigerator for the next day to cook
I’m unsure if the potatoes would brown while in the fridge.
Can I use ground chicken instead?
Sure! If that’s what you like.
Can you make this recipe on top of the stove & if so, what would the cooking time be?
I cooked in a stockpot on the stove top. I browned the meat, and didn’t drain. Added the seasonings and the broth, then added the potatoes and onions. I covered the dish, and cooked on medium about 15 minutes, then stirred and recovered and cooked another 15 minutes. I continued this cycle until potatoes were cooked and began to crumble with stirring. I turned off the heat, added cheese, and covered once more for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt. It was a hit– other than cooking on the stovetop, my only variation was no parsley, and added a little seasoned salt.
Can I cook this recipe in the crockpot for 8 hrs. On low instead of 4 hrs. On high?
I think 6-7 hours is the most I would do.
I don’t have fresh parsley, but I have dried parsley. Is that ok?
that is what I used. 🙂
I was thinking it said Crock Pot. Will the cooking time be the same? I did add an extra 4 ounces of Chicken Broth as I didn’t think 4 ounces would be enough.
Crock pot is a brand of slow cooker. It should be fine!
Would it be a good idea to boil the potatoes first or will they be done by just adding to slow cooker?
They cook in the slow cooker. Keep the lid on the entire cook time.
Is this gluten free
If the broth you use is gluten free, it would be.
Should my potatoes be covered in broth
no, it’s there mostly to steam them and keep the potaotes from burning.
Thinking I have everything I start to make this and oops no cheese only Laughing Cow and Cheddar cheese slices …in they go to replace the shredded cheddar … we will see how it turns out …doubled the broth–chicken as I used turkey ground and without the proper cheese want to make sure its not dry
I think it will be fine! Let me know how you like it.
If I double the recipe. would it be the same cooking time? or longer?