Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin

 Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin

A cozy, creamy comfort meal made easy in the slow cooker—layers of seasoned beef, tender potatoes, and cheesy goodness that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4–5 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or cheddar-jack blend)
• 1½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• Cooking spray or butter for greasing

Instructions

1. Brown the beef:
   Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in diced onion and garlic; cook 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Drain excess fat.
2. Prepare the sauce:
   In a bowl, mix cream of mushroom soup, heavy cream, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
3. Assemble the layers:
   Grease the slow cooker. Add a layer of sliced potatoes, then beef mixture, then cheese. Pour some sauce over the layer.
   Repeat layers until ingredients are used, finishing with cheese on top.
4. Cook:
   Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
5. Serve:
   Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Spoon out and enjoy warm.

 Serving Tips

• Serve with a simple green salad or steamed veggies
• Add crispy bacon or caramelized onions for extra flavor
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey if desired