Slow Cooker Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
28 Comments Mar 07, 2016
Updated Jun 17, 2025
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These Slow Cooker Cheesy Mashed Potatoes are a cheese lover’s dream. Very easy to make in the slow cooker and keep warm for dinner or a potluck.
The chicken bouillon adds a hint of flavor, just like it does it in a few of my meatless soups. No chicken flavor I promise. Just perfectly seasoned potatoes.
I made Fried Mashed Potato Patties the next day for breakfast. Have you ever made these? Fried mashed potato patties are leftover mashed potatoes that are lightly battered (this helps keeps them from sticking and falling apart). Then fried in butter. These patties are best served with over easy eggs and toast.
How to make Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes:
- Start by peeling 4 pounds of russet potatoes, cubing them and add them to the slow cooker.
- Add enough water to cover the potatoes.
- Add 2 chicken bouillon cubes.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- When the cooking time is done, drain the water off the potatoes.
- Add salt, sour cream and 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Blend together with a hand-held mixer.
- Add 2 more cups of shredded cheese to the potatoes and replace lid for 10 minutes or until cheese has melted.
My tips for slow cooker cheesy mashed potatoes:
- Why dirty a strainer? Wearing oven mitts, hold the slow cooker insert with the lid opened a crack and pour the water down the sink drain.
- Take care to not over mix the potatoes; they will become gluey in taste and texture.
- Be careful not to scrape the beaters against the ceramic slow cooker insert as much as possible.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled, cubed
- water, (to cover potatoes while cooking)
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
Add these things after cooking time is done:
- 1 tsp. salt
- 16 oz. sour cream
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated and divided
Opitional Toppings for Garnishing
- chives, or green onions; chopped
Instructions
- Place the peeled and diced potatoes into the slow cooker.
- Add the chicken bouillon cubes and water to cover the potatoes completely.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3.5 hours.
- When done, drain the potatoes.
- Add the salt, sour cream, and 1 cup cheese to the potatoes.
- Using a hand-mixer, blend everything until smooth, being careful not to over mix.
- Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of cheese atop the now mashed potatoes.
- Replace the lid and give the cheese should take about 10 minutes to melt. (You can turn the slow cooker to high to speed up the process.)
- Top the potatoes with optional chives or green onions if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More potato side dishes you will love:
Lipton Onion Potatoes and Cajun Potato Wedges bring bold, seasoned flavor to your table with minimal effort.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes and Sour Cream and Onion Mashed Potatoes are rich, creamy, and perfect for pairing with any main dish.
Crockpot Potatoes, Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes, and Party Potatoes are cheesy, crowd-pleasing sides ideal for holidays, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.
I’ve made these in the past but my church and serving times have changed, can I cook them on low? If so how long?
Potatoes take quite a while on low, I’m thinking about 7-8 hours on low.
If I wanted to add some garlic, would you suggest minced, garlic powder or garlic salt? And when should I add it? PS. I your website is one of my favorites. I’m a crock pot junkie
Hi! I just had this converstation yesterday with a friend. For mashed potatoes, you’ll want to use garlic powder OR roast a head of garlic in the oven and blend that in the potatoes. Whichever you choose, add as you are blending the potatoes.
Would it be okay to mix them in the kitchen aid and then add them back to the crock pot? I don’t have a hand held mixer.
Yes that will work fine. Don’t over mix.
Can you partially cook the potatoes then do them in the crock pot the rest of the way?
I don’t see why not.
Could we substitute and use frozen hash browns instead of russet potatoes
Hi. Hard to say without testing it.
This did not work for me. Potatoes were not soft enough to mash. Cooked on high in the slow cooker for 4 hrs. Such a disappointment
New recipes (especially when having guests) I will always start the day before!
Different slowcookers: different timing. Just like with normal pots.
i like to cook potatoes in alufoil in slowcookers.
Can you substitute butter for the sour cream?
Yes, personally if I was omitting the sour cream, I would do 1 stick of butter and a splash of milk.
I’m making these now! They look delish. Hope they turn out ok!!