Description
Hearty pioneer woman crockpot cheesy potatoes combine rustic comfort with creamy richness. Melted cheese and tender potato layers create a satisfying side dish you’ll want to savor alongside family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pounds (1.8 kg) russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1.5 cups (170 g) sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1.5 cups (170 g) Gruyere cheese, shredded
- 2.5 cups (590 ml) heavy cream
- 5 tbsps (70 g) unsalted butter, divided
- 4 tsp kosher salt
- 1.5 tsp black pepper, extra for garnish
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1.5 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped, extra for garnish
- Nonstick cooking spray for greasing
Instructions
- Onion Preparation: Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Sauté onions until translucent and soft, approximately 4-6 minutes.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic to the onion mixture, stirring continuously for one minute to release its fragrant essence.
- Roux Creation: Add remaining butter, then incorporate flour. Whisk persistently until the mixture achieves a light golden-brown consistency, typically within one minute.
- Sauce Development: Gradually pour heavy cream while whisking to prevent lumps. Integrate kosher salt, thyme, and black pepper. Elevate heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Cheese Integration: Remove skillet from heat. Gently fold in Cheddar and Gruyere cheeses, creating a smooth, velvety sauce through careful whisking.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Coat slow cooker interior with nonstick spray. Layer sliced potatoes in thirds, alternating with generous cheese sauce portions. Ensure final layer is completely covered with cheese sauce.
- Cooking Process: Cover and set slow cooker to LOW temperature. Cook for 6-7 hours until potatoes are tender enough for a knife to glide through effortlessly.
- Finishing Touch: Allow dish to rest uncovered for 20 minutes. Garnish with fresh thyme and a light sprinkle of black pepper before serving.
Notes
- Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk cream slowly and steadily to avoid lumps, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture throughout the dish.
- Strategic Layering Technique: Distribute potatoes and cheese sauce evenly in thirds for consistent flavor and perfect potato coverage.
- Optimal Slow Cooking Time: Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours to achieve tender, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes without overcooking.
- Resting is Crucial: Allow 20 minutes of uncovered resting to let the sauce thicken and flavors meld for a more developed taste profile.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 970 mg
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg