Emilie Meyer
Crockpot cheesy potatoes, also known as funeral potatoes, are a classic dish for potlucks and holidays. They are easy to make and can be cooked in a slow cooker. The cooking time for this recipe varies depending on the desired consistency and the cooker's settings. The potatoes can be cooked on high heat for 3 to 4 hours or on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. This dish is a perfect side for dinners, potlucks, or whenever you're short on time and want a delicious, comforting meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 3-4 hours on high heat, 6-8 hours on low heat |
| Ingredients | Frozen diced potatoes, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar cheese, black pepper |
| Variations | Greek yoghurt, Mexican crema, French creme fraiche, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, onion, milk, seasoned salt, garlic, cheese-flavoured crackers, onion powder, butter, garlic powder, bacon |
| Calories | 340kcal |
| Clean-up | Use a crock pot liner for easy clean-up |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients
The ingredients for cheesy potatoes in a crockpot are simple and can be easily adjusted to suit your preferences. Here is a list of ingredients you will need:
- Potatoes: You can use fresh potatoes such as Russet or Idaho potatoes, or opt for frozen diced potatoes or frozen hash brown potatoes. Fresh potatoes may require boiling beforehand to soften them.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This ingredient adds flavour and moisture to the dish. You can use regular, reduced-fat, or no-salt-added cream of chicken soup. Alternatively, you can substitute it with cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, or make your own homemade cream of soup using butter, flour, and chicken stock.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream contributes to the creamy texture of the dish and helps prevent the potatoes from drying out. You can use full-fat, reduced-fat, dairy-free, or even substitute it with plain Greek yogurt, Mexican crema, or French creme fraiche.
- Butter: Salted butter is typically used in this recipe, but you can adjust the seasoning accordingly if you prefer unsalted butter.
- Spices and Seasonings: The most commonly used spices are garlic salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also add ranch seasoning or cayenne pepper powder for an extra kick.
- Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese is a popular choice for this recipe as it adds a lot of flavour. However, you can experiment with different types of cheese based on your preference. It's a good idea to reserve some cheese to sprinkle on top of the potatoes just before serving to create a nice cheesy topping.
- Optional Extras: Some recipes suggest adding onions, milk, seasoned salt, garlic, and cheese-flavoured crackers for an extra crunch. You can also include crispy bacon for a savoury twist.
Feel free to adjust the quantities of the ingredients based on the number of servings you require and your personal taste preferences.
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Preparation
To prepare cheesy potatoes in a crockpot, you will need a slow cooker, a bag of frozen diced potatoes, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ground black pepper, and butter.
First, spray the inside of your crockpot with cooking spray or add a liner for easier cleanup. Next, add the frozen potatoes to the slow cooker, followed by the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, butter, and spices, including black pepper. You can also add other ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to taste. Mix all the ingredients together in the slow cooker until they are well combined.
For a cheesier dish, it is recommended to reserve some shredded cheese to sprinkle on top of the potatoes before serving. You can also add crispy bacon bits to the potatoes for extra flavor and texture.
Cover the crockpot and set the slow cooker to low heat. Cook the potatoes for 4 to 6 hours on low heat or 2 to 4 hours on high heat, stirring occasionally. The potatoes are ready when they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
Once the potatoes are cooked, remove the lid and sprinkle the reserved shredded cheese on top. Cover the crockpot again and let the cheese melt for about 15 minutes. Serve the cheesy potatoes immediately while they are still hot and creamy.
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Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time for cheesy potatoes in a crockpot varies depending on the temperature setting. On the high setting, the cooking time is generally between 3 to 4 hours. However, some recipes suggest cooking for only 2 hours on high. It is important to stir the potatoes occasionally during this time to prevent overcooking.
When cooked on high heat, the potatoes should be tender and easily pierced with a fork. If you prefer a crispier texture, you can cook the potatoes for a shorter duration, around 35-45 minutes in a preheated oven at 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Alternatively, cooking cheesy potatoes on low heat in the crockpot allows for a longer cooking time, ranging from 6 to 8 hours. This extended duration is ideal for preparing the dish ahead of time and keeping it warm until serving. Similar to high heat cooking, it is recommended to stir the potatoes occasionally and adjust the temperature as needed to prevent overcooking.
The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the type of potatoes used. Fresh potatoes may require a shorter cooking time compared to frozen potatoes. Additionally, if you are using frozen hash browns, it is advisable to partially thaw them beforehand to reduce the cooking time and avoid a soupy consistency.
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Toppings and presentation
The toppings you choose for your cheesy potatoes can elevate this simple dish and make it even more delicious. Here are some ideas for toppings and presentation to make your crockpot cheesy potatoes look and taste amazing:
Cheesy Topping
A classic topping for cheesy potatoes is, of course, more cheese! About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle some shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top, cover the crockpot, and let the cheese melt. This will create a nice, gooey, cheesy topping that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. You can also add some butter on top when reheating leftovers to add moisture back to the dish.
Crispy Topping
For a crunchy element, you can add a crispy cornflake topping. Stir together melted butter and crushed cornflakes, and sprinkle this mixture on top of the potatoes for the last half hour of cooking. This will give your cheesy potatoes a delightful crispy texture.
Meat Topping
If you want to make your cheesy potatoes more substantial, consider adding some cooked, crumbled bacon, diced ham, sausage, or finely diced onions or jalapeño peppers. These savoury toppings will add a burst of flavour to your dish.
Spicy Kick
For those who like it hot, add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder to your crockpot cheesy potatoes. This will give the dish a nice spicy kick. You can also season with salt and pepper to taste.
Breadcrumb Topping
For a crunchy, buttery topping, toast some panko breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers in a skillet of melted butter. Add this topping just before serving for an extra indulgent touch.
Fresh Herbs
Garnish your cheesy potatoes with some freshly chopped herbs, such as chives or parsley. This will not only add a pop of colour to your dish but also a fresh flavour.
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Storage
Leftovers from your cheesy potato CrockPot can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also prepare the entire mixture a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator before cooking.
If you want to freeze your cheesy potatoes for longer storage, allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months, but the texture will change once it's frozen and defrosted due to the dairy content.
To reheat, transfer the potatoes to a baking dish and cover with foil. Warm them in an oven at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave in one-minute intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
If you're using a casserole CrockPot, note that the mixture will not be as thick, so it may require less cooking time. You can cook it on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours until the potatoes are tender.
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Frequently asked questions
You can cook them on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours.
You will need potatoes, onions, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cheese.
No, simply dump the ingredients into the crock pot and mix them together.
Yes, you can substitute the cream of chicken soup with cream of celery soup or chicken broth.
The potatoes are done when they are tender and you can easily stick a fork through them.
