Slow cooker kielbasa and potato casserole is an amazingly easy dinner. The perfect dish to make when you are out of ideas, time, and energy. This delicious meal will quickly become a family favorite.
If you are looking for the ultimate "Dump and Go" comfort dish, this is it! All you have to do is to make sure all the ingredients are cut into bite-size pieces. Your crockpot does the rest!
This easy recipe has a relatively short cooking time (at least when compared to many other slow cooker recipes). The smoky flavor of slow cooker sausage combined with ultra cheesy potatoes will be loved by the whole family
🥘Shopping list
To make this easy crock pot recipe you will need:
- Kielbasa - I am a fan of turkey sausage, but any will work
- Hash brown potatoes - make sure potatoes are cut into bite size pieces, not shreds. You can also cut potatoes up by hand if you like - but that doesn't fit my definition of lazy;) Some hash browns come with onions and peppers in them, which all work in this recipe too.
- Shredded cheddar cheese - pre-shredded works, but fresh shredded melts a little better (I use pre-shredded!).
- Chicken stock - I mix my own from a bouillon powder
- Powdered milk
- Cornstarch
- Onion - chopped
- Garlic powder
- Sour Cream - Full or reduced-fat will both work
🥣How to assemble
Start by cutting your kielbasa into 1" coins.
In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken stock, powdered milk, and cornstarch and set aside.
Pro tip: use a coffee frother to mix together chicken stock and powdered ingredients.
Combine hash browns, kielbasa, onion, potatoes, garlic, and cheese in slow cooker. Pour soup mixture over top. Stir and cover. Cook on low heat for 3 - 5 hours.
You will know your dish is ready when your potato pieces are cooked all the way through and your kielbasa is heated all the way through. Mine is generally ready in about 3.5 hours.
You can leave this dish on warm for a few hours if need be. Just keep in mind that the potatoes will start to get mushier over time.
15 to 21 minutes prior to serving, add in sour cream and stir to fully combine. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top of dish. Place lid back on slow cooker and allow topping to melt.
🍽Serving suggestions
This cheesy potato and smoked sausage recipe is almost a complete meal on its own. A side salad, fresh green beans, green bean casserole, or Squash and Zucchini Parmesan would all round out this dish wonderfully. Sauteed spinach, steamed broccoli, and mashed cauliflower are also all amazing pairings.
Storing leftovers
This is comfort food at its finest! It is the kind of recipe that tastes even better the next day. The smoky flavor of the kielbasa sausage seeps into the tender potatoes and creamy cheese sauce as this dish rests.
For maximum freshness, store leftovers in an airtight container or bag. This cheesy potato recipe will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator and several months in the freezer. It can be easily reheated in the microwave.
Storing in individual portions makes for each grab-and-go future meals.
😉Hints & Hacks
- To make this hearty meal even easier, you can substitute the chicken broth, powdered milk, and cornstarch with one can of cream of chicken soup.
- Purchasing onion that has 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.
- If the bag of hash browns you purchase is frozen, make sure it is fully defrosted prior to adding to slow cooker
- I am a huge fan of slow cooker liners. If you prefer not to use them, spray your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray prior to adding any other ingredients.
- In the market for a slow cooker? I love my new one!
- Looking to add even more flavor? This dish is great served with some hot pepper sauce on the side!
📖 Recipe
Lazy Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Potato Casserole
Equipment
- 3.5 quart slow cooker or larger
- large spoon for mixing in slow cooker
Ingredients
- 14 ounces kielbasa turkey kielbasa is my preference, but any will do
- 32 ounces hash brown potates cut into small cubes, not shredded
- 2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided sharp cheddar works well
- 1 cup chicken stock
- ¼ cup powdered milk
- 1½ tablespoon corn starch
- ½ cup onion chopped/diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- defrost potatoes in refridgerator if they are frozen,
- slice kielbasa into 1" thick coins14 ounces kielbasa
- mix together chicken stock, powdered milk, and corn starch.1 cup chicken stock, ¼ cup powdered milk, 1½ tablespoon corn starch
- add kielbasa, potatoes, onion, garlic powder, and 2 cups cheese to slow cooker14 ounces kielbasa, 32 ounces hash brown potates, 2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided, ½ cup onion, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- pour chicken stock mixture over slow cooker contents and stir briefly to combine
- cover and cook on low for 3-5 hours.
- check on your dish after about 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.
- 15 - 20 minutes prior to serving, stir in sour cream. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese and replace slow cooker cover allowing the cheese to melt.2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided, ½ cup sour cream
Notes
Nutrition
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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!!