This Slow Cooker Cheesy Kielbasa and Potato Casserole is an amazingly easy dinner. The perfect dish to make when you are out of ideas, time, and energy. Made with frozen hash browns and kielbasa, this dish is dump-and-go perfection.
Jump to:
- Why you'll love this casserole recipe
- 📝Ingredient shopping list
- What kind of hash browns should I use?
- 🎥Watch how to make it
- Step-by-step instructions
- Variations
- How to store and reheat leftovers
- Serving ideas
- Expert Tips For Success
- Good to Know
- More amazing dump-and-go slow cooker meals
- 📖 Recipe
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Recipe at a glance (TL;DR)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 4-6 hours on low
- Main ingredients: Kielbasa, shredded potatoes
- Servings: 8 servings
- Best for: busy weeknights, family dinners, potlucks
- Why it's effortless: Minimal prep, no babysitting
Why you'll love this casserole recipe
- Easy, hands-free cooking ~ No precooking required. Just slice the kielbasa and toss it into your slow cooker.
- Perfect as a main course or potluck side
- Made with frozen hash browns - No potato peeling or chopping
- Picky eater friendly ~ The cheesy texture and smoky flavor make this a family favorite.
- For kielbasa fans: Kielbasa and Pierogi is another must try
📝Ingredient shopping list
Protein
- Kielbasa ~ I use turkey kielbasa, but any will work
Produce
- Onion ~ chopped or diced. For extra ease, I keep pre-cut onion in my freezer.
Dairy
- Cream cheese ~ whipped melts really well
- Cottage cheese ~ whipped melts really well, but any will melt just fine
- Sharp cheddar cheese ~ shredded
- Mozzarella Cheese ~ shredded
Pantry
- Chicken stock
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
Frozen
- Hash brown potatoes
What kind of hash browns should I use?
This recipe was designed for frozen hash browns. You can use either shredded or cubed frozen potatoes. Shredded potatoes may cook a bit faster than cubed potatoes. Shredded potatoes may also result in a softer (but delicious) casserole.
Packaged refrigerated potatoes can also be used in this recipe. Make sure they are very dry before adding them to your slow cooker so the dish doesn't come out watery.
Preparing your slow cooker
- Lightly coat your slow cooker with a non-stick spray, oil, or butter before cooking
- Avocado oil and olive oil are both great choices for this recipe
- Use a slow cooker liner for the easiest cleanup (always an optional step)
🎥Watch how to make it
Step-by-step instructions
Add all ingredients other than mozzarella cheese to a well greased slow cooker.
Stir to fully combine, cover and cook
Once cooked, top with mozzarella cheese. Cover again until cheese is melted.
Serve directly from the slow cooker
Variations
Variations
- Add vegetables ~ Broccoli florets, bell peppers, and mushrooms can all be added toward the end.
- Spice it up ~ Add a jar of diced jalapeños along with the other spices at the start of cooking. Top with a dash of your favorite hot sauce when serving.
- Swap the meat ~ Try smoked sausage, chicken sausage, or diced ham for a different flavor.
- Switch up the cheese ~ Shredded Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend all work well.
This recipe caught my attention, and I made it tonight for my family. So good!!!
~AW
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How to store and reheat leftovers
- Allow frozen leftovers to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then gently reheat in the microwave.
- Refrigerate leftover beef in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months in a freezer-friendly container or zipper bag.
Serving ideas
- A crisp garden salad
- Easy air-fried vegetables like carrot chips or baby peppers
- A loaf of crusty bread
Expert Tips For Success
- Freeze in meal-size containers for easy reheat-and-eat future meals.
- Purchasing onions that have already been cut into small pieces can save you a lot of time (and tears!). It is generally available in both the frozen and the refrigerated sections of your local grocery store.
- Refrigerated hash browns can be used in place of frozen. Be sure they are well dried before adding them to your slow cooker.
- In the market for a slow cooker? I love mine!
- Easy dinner idea: Use a slow-cooker liner when making this dish. You will have almost zero clean-up to deal with.
- Don't forget to turn on and PLUG IN your slow cooker!
Good to Know
Yes. Diced russet potatoes can be used as long as they are cut into small pieces and thoroughly dried. Increase cooking time as needed until potatoes are tender.
Yes! Mix all ingredients other than the frozen potatoes and store overnight in the refrigerator. When you are ready to cook, mix together with the frozen hash browns right in your slow cooker.
Yes, you definitely can. Cut the block into small pieces before adding it to your slow cooker to help the cheese melt more evenly.
Cottage cheese adds creaminess and protein to this dish without adding any flavor. You won't even know it is there!
To lighten this dish a little, reduce the whipped cream cheese from 12oz to 8oz and add an extra ¼ cup of whipped cottage cheese.
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📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Potato Casserole
(Click on the stars to leave a rating)
Print Pin Rate SaveAll nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
Equipment
- 3.5 quart slow cooker or larger
- large spoon for mixing in slow cooker
Ingredients
- 13-14 ounces kielbasa turkey kielbasa is my preference, but any will do
- 30 - 32 ounces hash brown potatoes shredded or cubed
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese shredded, sharp cheddar is great
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 12 oz cream cheese whipped
- ½ cup cottage cheese I used whipped
- 1½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- slice kielbasa into 1" thick coins13-14 ounces kielbasa
- To a well greased slow cooker add 13-14 ounces kielbasa, 30 - 32 ounces hash brown potatoes , 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, 1 cup chicken stock, 12 oz cream cheese, ½ cup cottage cheese, 1½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ cup onion, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine13-14 ounces kielbasa, 30 - 32 ounces hash brown potatoes , 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, ½ cup onion, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 or high for 2-3 hours
- You can tell if your casserole is ready based on the potatoes. If they are still hard or crunchy, they need to cook longer. Once they are cooked, you should serve or turn your slow cooker down to warm. Overcooked potatoes will become mushy. Shredded potatoes will cook faster than cubed.
- 15 - 20 minutes before serving, top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and replace slow cooker cover allowing the cheese to melt.1.5 cups cheddar cheese, ½ cup cottage cheese
Final Step
If you love this recipe, please let everyone know by giving it a star rating and leaving a comment. This will help my business to grow and allow me to keep on testing and sharing free recipes with you.😊
Notes
- I use a bullion product like Better Than Bouillon to make easy stock.
- My dish is generally ready to be served after 3.5 hours of cooking on low.
- If serving as part of a buffet, assume 10 servings
Nutrition
All nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
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Lee Thayer says
Hi Susan, I finally got around to preparing this yesterday, 24 Nov 2022, I did increase the onion to 1 cup and increased the cheese to 3 cups (I love cheese), and I did use the canned soup option. I will say this is an easy dish, and exceptionally tasty casserole! True comfort food right here. The sour cream and all the cheese gives this an excellent flavor, this really needs 10 stars 😀 Thank you for a great recipe, this will be made often.
The Lazy Slow Cooker says
Hi Lee, So glad to hear you love this recipe (it is a favorite in my house!). Thanks for taking the time to share, I so appreciate it!! Susan
Lee Thayer says
Hi Susan, in addition to my review, I would like to say I used fresh potatoes, peeled and cut with a French fry cutter, then I use a knife to cut the fries into cubes.
The Lazy Slow Cooker says
Oh yum! I bet fresh potatoes were amazing in this. I will have to shake off my "lazy" and give it a try! My mouth is watering!!
Jpe says
Love this recipe!