Get ready to embrace a dish that’s equal parts cozy and crowd-pleasing with this Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole. Imagine the gooey, savory joy of a Philly cheesesteak married to tender potatoes and loads of melty cheese—all coming together effortlessly in your slow cooker! This is one of those comfort food recipes you’ll find yourself craving on busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or anytime you want to delight both family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s hearty, a little nostalgic, and seriously satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The real magic of this Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole lies in everyday ingredients coming together with flavorful results. Each component was chosen for its key role in creating those signature cheesesteak flavors and the ultimate creamy, bubbly casserole texture.
- Russet potatoes (1 1/2 lbs, peeled and diced): The perfect base to soak up all the savory juices and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
- Ground beef or shaved steak (1 lb): Go traditional with shaved steak or pick ground beef for a quicker, equally hearty option—either way, you get that classic cheesesteak taste.
- Green bell pepper (1, diced): Gives a subtle sweetness and crunch that’s signature to Philly cheesesteak.
- Small onion (1, diced): Adds a gentle sharpness and depth to every bite.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Infuses a warm and comforting undertone, perfect for slow cooking.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances all the flavors and brings out the savoriness.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a gentle kick and rounds out the seasoning.
- Paprika (1/2 teaspoon): Provides mild smokiness and vibrant color.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup): Melts beautifully, creating those irresistible cheese strings with every serving.
- Shredded provolone cheese (1 cup): Classic cheesesteak cheese! Creamy, cheesy, and absolutely essential.
- Sour cream (1/2 cup): Gives the casserole its creamy, tangy, and ultra-indulgent texture.
- Milk (1/4 cup): Helps blend and loosen the sour cream for the perfect pourable sauce.
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish): Adds a pop of color and a fresh finish right before serving.
How to Make Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole
Step 1: Brown Your Beef
Start by heating a large skillet on medium and add your ground beef or shaved steak. You want to brown it up until it’s no longer pink, stirring occasionally so all those juicy bits caramelize just a touch. Once cooked, drain off the excess grease—this keeps your Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole from getting too heavy later on.
Step 2: Build Your Layers
Lightly grease the inside of your crockpot. Now for the assembly: spread out half the diced potatoes right at the bottom. Scatter on half your browned beef (or steak), green bell pepper, and onion. Sprinkle with half of the garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, and half the combined cheeses. That first layer promises flavor in every corner!
Step 3: Repeat for Maximum Flavor
Repeat with the second half of your potatoes, beef, veggies, seasonings, and cheeses. Layering like this makes sure every spoonful of Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole gets its fair share of everything—no bland bites here!
Step 4: Make It Creamy
In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and milk until smooth and pourable. Drizzle this mixture evenly over the entire casserole. This is your secret weapon for luscious texture and just the right richness.
Step 5: Set and Forget
Pop the lid on your slow cooker and let it work its magic. On low, plan for 6 to 7 hours, or if you’re in a hurry, go with high for 3 to 4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the potatoes turn tender and everything melds into one glorious casserole. Just before serving, gently stir to combine and sprinkle with a generous shower of chopped parsley.
How to Serve Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole
Garnishes
A flourish of chopped fresh parsley is the perfect finishing touch, bringing vibrance and a little herby lift. If you want to go the extra mile, try topping with extra shredded cheese or a few sliced green onions for color and zip.
Side Dishes
This casserole is filling enough to stand on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or simple steamed veggies. If you’re really leaning into comfort food, serve with crusty gluten-free rolls ready to soak up all that cheesy sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Ladle your Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole into individual ramekins for a dinner party twist, or pile it onto toasted hoagie rolls for an even more Philly-inspired meal. Leftovers also make an epic breakfast—just top with a fried egg!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors actually get even cozier as they mingle together, so don’t hesitate to meal-prep extra for quick lunches or dinner later in the week.
Freezing
You can freeze this casserole for longer storage! Once cooled, portion it into freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready to enjoy, let it thaw in the fridge overnight for the best texture, as this helps prevent the potatoes from turning mushy.
Reheating
To reheat, either microwave individual servings or warm the casserole in the oven at 350°F until everything is hot and the cheese is gooey again. Add a little extra sprinkle of cheese before reheating if you want that classic melty topping!
FAQs
Can I use frozen potatoes instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen diced potatoes are a great time-saving swap. Just toss them in directly without thawing; they’ll cook perfectly in your Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole.
What’s the best meat for this casserole?
Both ground beef and shaved steak turn out deliciously. Shaved steak is a bit more traditional for cheesesteak, offering those authentic ribbons of meat, but ground beef is easier to find and works beautifully too.
Can I add mushrooms or other veggies?
Definitely! Sliced mushrooms, red bell peppers, or even some diced jalapeños for heat are all fair game in your Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole. Just keep the proportions similar so everything cooks evenly.
Is this casserole gluten-free?
Yes! As written, this Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole contains no gluten-containing ingredients. Always double-check your cheese and seasonings if you’re sensitive or serving to someone with allergies.
How do I get a crispier top?
For extra crunch and color, transfer the finished casserole to a baking dish, scatter with extra cheese, and pop it under the broiler for a couple of minutes. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn—golden and bubbly is the goal!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for that soul-soothing dinner that everyone will want seconds of, look no further than this Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole. It’s incredibly simple to throw together but feels special every single time. I can’t wait for you and your loved ones to dig in and discover just how comforting (and crave-worthy) this dish can be!
PrintCrockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole Recipe
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Crockpot Cheesesteak Potato Casserole. Layers of tender potatoes, savory beef, colorful veggies, and melted cheese, all slow-cooked to perfection in one hearty dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Potato Layer:
- 1 1/2 lbs russet potatoes (peeled and diced)
Cheesesteak Layer:
- 1 lb ground beef or shaved steak
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Lightly grease the crockpot. Brown the beef in a skillet, then layer half the potatoes, beef, veggies, seasonings, and cheese in the crockpot.
- Layer and Cook: Repeat the layers. Whisk sour cream and milk, then pour over the layers. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until potatoes are tender.
- Serve: Gently stir before serving. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
- For a crispy top, broil with extra cheese.
- You can use frozen diced potatoes for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg