Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes and Kielbasa dish, perfect for busy weeknights and hungry families. Rich cheese, tender potatoes, and smoky kielbasa combine into a satisfying one-pot meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) Kielbasa beef, sliced into bite-size pieces (about 1/2 inch thick)
Potato and Dairy Components:
- 3 cans 14.5 ounces (411 grams) diced potatoes, drained
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 can cheddar cream soup
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) melted salted butter
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker by generously spraying the interior with non-stick cooking spray to ensure effortless cleanup after cooking.
- Thoroughly drain canned diced potatoes in a colander, eliminating excess liquid while preserving the potato cubes.
- Combine potatoes with melted butter, creating a flavorful base by evenly coating each potato piece with onion powder, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Layer sliced kielbasa and chopped onions into the crockpot, distributing them evenly to ensure balanced flavor throughout the dish.
- Pour heavy cream and chicken broth into the mixture, then gently fold in shredded cheddar cheese and cheddar cream soup to develop a rich, creamy consistency.
- Cover and cook on high temperature for 3-4 hours or low temperature for 5-6 hours, allowing potatoes to become tender and ingredients to meld together perfectly.
- For a thicker sauce, whisk together cornstarch and water, stirring into the mixture approximately one hour before cooking completion.
- Once cooking is finished, garnish with optional toppings like additional cheese, chopped green onions, or a dollop of sour cream before serving hot.
Notes
- Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for a creamier, more luxurious texture that holds its shape during slow cooking.
- Toast the spices in melted butter before mixing with potatoes to intensify their flavor and create a more robust taste profile.
- Swap regular kielbasa for turkey or chicken sausage to reduce fat content, and use low-fat dairy alternatives for a lighter version.
- To prevent potatoes from becoming mushy, drain them thoroughly and avoid stirring too frequently during cooking to maintain their structural integrity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (on high) or 6 hours (on low)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg