Amazing 3-Hour crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage

If you’re tired of heavy weeknight dinners that keep you chained to the stove, then you need the magic of crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage in your life! Seriously, this dish is the definition of low-effort, high-reward comfort food. I’m Anna Kowalska, and over here on my little corner of the internet, I share tried-and-true homemade recipes that I know you and your family will absolutely love. Everything I post here, especially recipes like this one, is made with heart and flavor, tested until it’s perfect so you don’t have to waste ingredients guessing.

We all need those meals that handle themselves while we focus on homework or just relaxing after a long day, right? That’s why my slow cooker is my best friend. This cheesy potato and sausage masterpiece requires about fifteen minutes of chopping, and then the appliance takes over, filling your house with the most incredible savory aroma for the next six hours. It’s hearty, it’s creamy, and it’s everything you want when you are craving something deeply satisfying without the fuss.

We’re making this incredibly simple, yet unbelievably delicious, slow cooker sausage and potatoes today, and I promise it will become a staple in your rotation!

Why You Will Love This crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage

This recipe isn’t just another dinner option; it’s a total game-changer for busy weeknights. When you pull out that slow cooker for this crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage, you are signing up for maximum flavor with minimum effort. It’s truly the best kind of hands-off cooking!

• It’s completely hands-off once assembled, freeing up your evening.
• The creamy texture from the cheese and milk is pure comfort food heaven.
• It uses simple pantry staples for a hearty, satisfying meal.
• Cleanup is a breeze—just one pot to wash when you’re done!

Quick Prep and Easy Cleanup

Honestly, the best part is how fast we get this going. You only need about 15 minutes of active prep time. That’s just enough time to dice the potatoes and slice the sausage. After that, you just dump everything in, set the timer, and walk away. Since it all cooks in the slow cooker, you aren’t juggling pots and pans on the stove, which means cleanup is ridiculously easy!

Essential Ingredients for crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage

To get that perfect, thick, and savory base for our crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage, you need to pay attention to the quality and the prep of these simple ingredients. Don’t try to swap out the sharp cheddar; trust me on this one, it melts the best! We are using standard pantry items here, but getting the sizes right is what guarantees that fork-tender result.

Beef Sausage Selection

You’ll want to grab about one pound of good quality beef sausage links. The key here is slicing them into nice, even half-inch rounds. If they are too thin, they might get lost in the potatoes, and if they are too thick, they might not heat through perfectly, although the slow cooker is pretty forgiving!

Potato Preparation Details

For this recipe, russet potatoes are the star because they break down just enough to thicken the sauce naturally. You need about two and a half pounds. Make sure you peel them—nobody wants potato skin in their creamy dish! Then, dice them consistently into three-quarter-inch cubes. Uniformity is crucial so everything finishes cooking at the same time.

The Creamy Agents

The liquid base is what makes this dish so decadent. We use one and a half cups of low-sodium chicken broth—we add the salt later so we can control it—and one full cup of whole milk for richness. Don’t skimp on the fat here! Finally, you’ll melt two tablespoons of unsalted butter to coat the potatoes initially, which helps the seasonings stick before we add the liquids.

Necessary Equipment for Your crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage

You don’t need a kitchen full of specialized gadgets for this fantastic crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage, but you do need the right vessel to let the magic happen. Since this is a hands-off meal, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. Make sure you have your sharpest knife and a sturdy cutting board ready for the quick prep work!

Slow Cooker Size Requirement

I always use my standard 6-quart slow cooker for this recipe. It gives us just the right amount of space to layer everything comfortably without overcrowding the pot. If you use a smaller one, you might need to reduce the liquid slightly, but for a full batch serving six people, the 6-quart size is absolutely perfect.

Step-by-Step Instructions for crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage

Okay, here is where we put it all together! Don’t let the number of steps scare you; this is assembly, not complex cooking. Once you follow these steps for your crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage, you’ll be amazed at how little active work is involved. Remember, patience is key here, especially with the cooking time!

Preparing the Slow Cooker Base

First things first, grab that 6-quart slow cooker and give the inside a good spray with nonstick cooking spray. You don’t want anything sticking! Next, put all those diced russet potatoes right into the bottom. Drizzle the two tablespoons of melted butter evenly over the potatoes. Now, for the flavor foundation: sprinkle in your salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss everything gently right there in the pot until those potato cubes look lightly coated and seasoned.

Layering the Ingredients

Now we start building the layers. Add your sliced beef sausage right on top of the seasoned potatoes. Spread it out nicely so it’s even. Then, toss in that finely chopped yellow onion. This is important: pour the chicken broth and the whole milk over everything. Give it one final, gentle stir—just enough to make sure the liquids are touching most of the potatoes, but don’t stir so vigorously that you mash the cubes!

Cooking Times and Tenderness Check

Time to cover it up and walk away! You have two options here. Cook on LOW for a full 6 hours, or if you’re in a rush, you can use the HIGH setting for about 3 and a half hours. The absolute goal is for the potatoes to be fork-tender. That means when you poke one with a fork, it slides right out with zero resistance. If it’s still hard, give it another 30 minutes. Check out this guide on testing vegetable tenderness for more tips!

Achieving the Cheesy Finish

Once those potatoes are soft, it’s time for the best part! Remove the lid and stir in all two cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Put the lid back on and let it cook, uncovered, for just the last 20 minutes. This short time is just enough for the cheese to fully melt and get incorporated into the sauce without breaking. Before you serve this amazing crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage, give it one last gentle stir to make sure everything is hot and creamy throughout, especially checking that the sausage hits that safe 160°F internal temperature.

Tips for Perfect crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage

Even though this is an easy recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks over the years to make sure my crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage turns out absolutely perfect every single time, not just good—perfect! Getting the right texture means paying attention to a couple of details before you seal that lid for the long cook.

Ensuring Even Potato Cooking

I can’t stress this enough: the dicing has to be consistent. If you have half-inch pieces next to one-inch chunks, the small ones will turn to mush while the big ones are still hard. Take that extra minute to keep your cubes uniform, around that three-quarter-inch mark we talked about. Also, when you pour in the milk and broth, give it a gentle stir to make sure all those potato pieces are at least partially submerged. If they are sticking up dry, they won’t soften!

Preventing a Watery Sauce

Sometimes, especially if you use a different brand of sausage or broth, the sauce might seem a little thin when you first add the cheese. Don’t panic! Russet potatoes release a ton of starch, which is what thickens everything up naturally. If it still seems loose after the cheese melts in those last 20 minutes, just remove the lid completely and let it simmer on HIGH for an extra 10 to 15 minutes. That steam escaping will concentrate the sauce beautifully without drying out the potatoes!

Serving Suggestions for This crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage

This hearty, creamy crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage is truly a complete meal all on its own, which is why I love it so much for busy nights! As the note says, you need to serve it hot right out of the slow cooker when that cheese is perfectly melted and gooey. If you are looking to round out the meal just a bit, keep things simple.

It pairs wonderfully with something green and crisp to cut through the richness. Try a simple side salad tossed with a light vinaigrette. If you want a little extra vegetable, steamed green beans or lightly sauteed broccoli florets are fantastic additions that don’t take any extra hands-on time away from your evening!

Storing and Reheating Your crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage

Even though this amazing crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage usually disappears quickly because everyone loves it so much, sometimes you end up with leftovers. That’s totally fine! The great thing about slow cooker meals is that they often reheat even better the next day. You just have to store them properly to keep that creamy texture.

Safe Storage Guidelines

Once everything has cooled down a bit after serving, you need to get your leftovers into the fridge quickly for safety. Scoop the mixture into an airtight container. I prefer glass containers because they reheat so evenly later on. You can safely store these cheesy potatoes and sausage in the refrigerator for up to three or four days. Don’t leave them sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours! For more storage tips, check out my guide on leftovers.

Reheating for Best Flavor

My absolute favorite way to reheat this is right back in the slow cooker! Transfer the leftovers back into the cooker, add a splash—maybe a tablespoon or two—of extra milk or broth just to reintroduce some moisture, and let it warm on LOW for about 45 minutes to an hour. If you’re in a real pinch, the microwave works fine, but you must stir it halfway through heating to prevent the edges from getting tough or separating.

Here is a quick guide for handling any leftovers:

Storage Duration	Reheating Method	Approximate Time
3 to 4 Days	Slow Cooker (Low setting with added liquid)	45 – 60 minutes
Up to 2 Months	Freezer (Airtight container)	Thaw overnight, then reheat

Frequently Asked Questions about slow cooker sausage and potatoes

I get so many questions about adapting this recipe, which is great because it shows how many of you are planning to make this crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage! I’ve collected the ones I hear most often to help you out before you even start mixing.

Can I use different types of potatoes in this cheesy potatoes recipe?

You absolutely can experiment, but I strongly recommend sticking to starchy potatoes like Russets or Idaho potatoes for this specific cheesy potatoes recipe. They break down slightly, and that starch is what naturally thickens our sauce and makes it beautifully creamy. Waxy potatoes, like red potatoes, hold their shape too well, and you might end up with firm potato chunks swimming in a thinner sauce.

What is the internal temperature for cooked sausage?

This is a super important safety check! Since we are using pre-cooked sausage links, we are mostly just heating them through, but the recipe calls for checking that the sausage reaches an internal temperature of 160°F before serving. Always use a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest piece to be sure everything is heated safely and evenly. For more food safety guidelines, consult the FDA website.

Can I make crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage ahead of time?

You can definitely do the prep work ahead of time! Chop all your potatoes, slice the sausage, and measure out your spices. Store the dry/solid ingredients in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 24 hours. However, I don’t recommend adding the liquid and cooking the crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage until right before you plan to eat it. The slow cooker method relies on that fresh cook time to get the starch release just right for the sauce consistency.

Your Thoughts on This crockpot cheesy potatoes and sausage

Now that you’ve got the secrets to the creamiest, easiest dinner ever, I really want to hear about it! Did you try it last Tuesday? Did your family devour it? Please take a moment to leave a rating right below this post—it helps other busy cooks find this recipe. And don’t forget to share any little tweaks you made in the comments!

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