If you are looking for a cozy, comforting meal that fills the house with tempting aromas and satisfies both hunger and heart, the Homemade Crockpot Ground Beef and Potato Recipe is your go-to. This dish offers a perfect balance of tender ground beef, creamy mushrooms, and tender potatoes all slow-cooked to perfection in your crockpot. It’s a fuss-free recipe yet delivers incredible depth of flavor and texture that makes every bite a warm hug on a plate. Whether you’re preparing weeknight dinners or a casual family gathering, this recipe never disappoints.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this delightful Homemade Crockpot Ground Beef and Potato Recipe, you’ll want to gather a handful of simple but essential ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role by adding layers of flavor, creamy richness, or comforting heartiness that bring this dish to life.
- 6 large potatoes: Peeled and sliced into thin rounds, they make the perfect tender base that absorbs all the savory juices.
- 2.25 lb ground beef: Choosing lean ground beef keeps the dish hearty without excess grease.
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup: This adds luscious creaminess and a wonderful mushroom flavor that elevates the recipe.
- 1 cup milk: Thins the soup slightly and helps create a smooth sauce that coats the potatoes and beef.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder: Adds subtle aromatic depth that blends seamlessly with garlic.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Offers savory warmth that complements the beef perfectly.
- Salt to taste: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Brings just the right kick and brightness with each bite.
- 2 cups shredded cheese: A sharp cheddar or cheddar blend melts beautifully on top for a golden, gooey finish.
How to Make Homemade Crockpot Ground Beef and Potato Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Start by peeling your large potatoes and slicing them into quarter-inch thin rounds. This thickness is perfect for steady, even cooking over several hours in the crockpot. If you cut them too thick, they may stay slightly firm, but sliced right, they’ll become tender and soak up all the yummy flavors from the beef and sauce.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Before adding it to the crockpot, brown your lean ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. This step builds a deeper flavor base and helps reduce fat. Make sure to break the beef into crumbles as it cooks and drain off excess grease if necessary, so your dish won’t feel oily or heavy.
Step 3: Mix the Creamy Sauce
In a bowl, combine your two cans of cream of mushroom soup with the cup of milk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground pepper. Whisk everything together until smooth. This sauce will infuse the potatoes and beef with rich, earthy flavor while keeping everything nice and moist during cooking.
Step 4: Layer the Ingredients
Now for the fun part: layering! In your crockpot, place a layer of sliced potatoes first, followed by a layer of browned ground beef. Then pour some of your creamy sauce mixture over the top. Repeat layering until you use all the potatoes and beef, finishing with sauce on the very top to ensure it stays moist throughout cooking.
Step 5: Cook Low and Slow
Cover your crockpot and cook on LOW for about 3 hours. This slow cooking method allows flavors to gently meld and the potatoes to soften perfectly. Avoid lifting the lid too often to keep the heat steady and ensure even cooking.
Step 6: Add the Cheese Topping
With about 15 minutes left of cooking, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Replace the lid to let the cheese melt into a bubbly, golden crust that adds another delicious dimension to the dish.
How to Serve Homemade Crockpot Ground Beef and Potato Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions or parsley adds a pop of color and subtle fresh flavor that brightens this hearty dish. A dollop of sour cream on the side also pairs beautifully, adding cool creaminess that complements the warm, cheesy goodness.
Side Dishes
This recipe is wonderfully filling on its own, but if you want to round out your meal, consider serving it with a crisp green salad or roasted seasonal veggies. Both add vibrant texture contrast and keep the meal balanced. A crusty loaf of bread is also perfect for sopping up every last bit of the creamy sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist at dinner parties or family meals, serve the dish in individual ramekins or mini crockpots for personal portions that look charming and inviting. You can even layer everything in a clear glass casserole dish, showcasing the lovely strata of potatoes and beef before baking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer leftovers to airtight containers and store in the refrigerator. The flavors intensify as it sits, so leftovers often taste even better the next day. Consume within 3-4 days for best quality and safety.
Freezing
This Homemade Crockpot Ground Beef and Potato Recipe freezes well when wrapped tightly or placed in freezer-safe containers. To preserve texture, freeze before adding cheese topping. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and melting the cheese fresh.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. Add a sprinkle of fresh cheese on top and let it melt to bring back that fresh-baked magic. A bit of extra milk or broth stirred in while reheating helps keep the dish moist and creamy.
FAQs
Can I use different types of potatoes?
Absolutely! While Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes are ideal for their texture and flavor, red potatoes or fingerlings can also work, though cook times might vary slightly. Just make sure to slice them evenly.
Is it okay to use a different cream soup?
You can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup if you prefer, but mushroom adds an earthy depth that pairs especially well with ground beef and potatoes.
Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?
Yes, this recipe scales nicely. Just use a larger crockpot and double the ingredients. Keep an eye on the cooking time—it might take a bit longer for everything to cook through evenly.
How do I make this recipe lower in calories?
Using lean ground beef and reducing the amount of cheese can help. You could also swap half the potatoes with cauliflower slices to reduce carbs without sacrificing texture or volume.
What if I don’t have a crockpot?
No worries! You can bake the layered ingredients covered in a 350°F oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until potatoes are tender, then add cheese and bake until melted and bubbly.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Crockpot Ground Beef and Potato Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. It’s simple enough for busy weeknights yet comforting and hearty enough to make any mealtime special. I can’t wait for you to try it and discover how effortlessly delicious slow-cooked ground beef and potatoes can be!
Print
Homemade Crockpot Ground Beef and Potato Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Homemade Crockpot Ground Beef and Potato casserole is a comforting and hearty one-pot meal perfect for easy weeknight dinners. Tender sliced potatoes are layered with seasoned lean ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and melted cheddar cheese. Slow-cooked in the crockpot, the dish becomes rich, flavorful, and perfect for serving a family of four.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 6 large potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
Meat
- 2.25 lb lean ground beef
Other Ingredients
- 2 cans (about 10.5 oz each) cream of mushroom soup (Campbell’s recommended)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or cheddar blend
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes: Peel 6 large potatoes and slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Set aside.
- Cook the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Mix the sauce: In a bowl, combine 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup with 1 cup of milk, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir well to create a smooth sauce.
- Layer the ingredients: In the crockpot, place a layer of sliced potatoes at the bottom. Add half of the cooked ground beef over the potatoes, and then pour half of the mushroom soup mixture on top. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, ground beef, and mushroom soup mixture.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low for about 3 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and cooked through.
- Add cheese and finish: Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts completely.
- Serve: Once the cheese is melted and the dish is bubbly, turn off the crockpot and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this hearty comfort meal!
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and fat.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of celery or cream of chicken for slight flavor variations.
- For a thicker sauce, reduce the added milk slightly or add a tablespoon of flour mixed with water before cooking.
- Adding chopped onions or green peppers to the ground beef while browning can enhance flavor.
- This dish can be doubled to serve a larger crowd using a larger crockpot.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the microwave or oven.
