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    Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes

    Published: Jul 21, 2021 · Modified: Jan 18, 2023 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    bowl full of mashed potatoes topped with shredded cheese and bacon bits

    Easy cheesy Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes are a simple way to bring a delicious side dish to life by mixing in sour cream, smoky bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese!

    We’re all about potato dishes in my house. Everything from scalloped, to easy roasted potatoes or greek lemon roasted potatoes and Instant Pot sweet potatoes. If there’s a way to include these quick and easy, budget-friendly root veggie recipes into my meal, chances are, it’s happening!

    white bowlful of loaded mashed potatoes topped with shredded cheese and bacon bits

    Table of contents

    • An Easy Potato Side Dish
    • Why this recipe works/why we love this recipe
    • Ingredients/shopping list
    • How to Make this Recipe
    • Variations/ Substitutions
    • Tips
    • FAQ’s
      • Other Recipes

    An Easy Potato Side Dish

    These crock pot mashed potatoes are a cross between everything you love about a loaded baked potato (you know, those amazingly tasty toppings) and light and fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes. I make these the exact same way whether I’m serving a fancier meal during the holidays or when I’m making meatloaf for weeknight dinners. It’s one of the easiest side dishes that work for any and all special occasions. The best part is, they’re so low maintenance! A simple side made with simple ingredients but loaded with flavor!

    Homemade loaded potatoes are comfort food at its best and always a crowd-pleaser. It’s a set it and forget it recipe in the slow cooker which means you can walk away or focus on other parts of the meal in the meantime. This recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite recipe for mashed potatoes.

    Don’t be surprised if you find yourself eating a big ole bowl of it, spoon in hand, and nothing else!

    wood spoon of loaded mashed potatoes in a black slow cooker

    Why this recipe works/why we love this recipe

    • Quick and easy and absolutely low-fuss which is always a bonus when making side dishes.
    • A great way to enhance your every day mashed potatoes while keeping it budget-friendly.
    • Kid-friendly. Everyone loves mashed potatoes, especially the kiddies!
    • Customizable to add or omit any of the additional ingredients.
    • Slow cooker is hands off, but these can be made on the stovetop as well.
    • similar to this Loaded Baked Potato Soup recipe we love!

    Ingredients/shopping list

    • Potatoes – I like to use red potatoes, sliced into 1-inch chunks, for this recipe. They’re not too waxy and also doesn’t have a high starch content, which makes for nice light creamy mashed potatoes.
    • Chicken broth – Any brand of low sodium chicken broth will do. If you have homemade broth, use it. The broth will infuse flavor into the potatoes as they slow cook.
    • Butter – Adding butter to mashed potatoes is a must to getting that delicious buttery flavor that takes it up a notch.
    • Salt & black pepper– A simple seasoning that is needed to round out the dish.
    • Milk – The liquid component that gets added at the end once the potatoes are cooked. It adds a rich creamy layer that helps to blend the potatoes smoothly.
    • Cheddar cheese – I recommend you shred your own cheese from a block because it melts much better, but if pre-shredded is all you have, use that.
    • Sour cream – A cooling cream that adds a fat and tangy flavor balancing out the starches in the taters.
    • Bacon – Cooked and diced into small pieces. For convenience, you can use precooked bacon.

    How to Make this Recipe

    This recipe will come together in just a few steps, then the crockpot takes over. If you are not ready to eat when it’s done, just leave it on warm until dinner is served.

    Step 1: Add diced potatoes, chicken broth, butter, salt, and pepper to a prepared slow cooker, coated with a nonstick cooking spray or oil.

    cubes of red potatoes in a black slow cooker

    Step 2: Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 until the potatoes are very tender. They should fall apart and are fork tender.

    diced red potatoes in a slow cooker with butter slices on top

    Step 3: Mash the potatoes, with a fork, potato masher or electric mixer, until creamy then stir in the half cup milk, followed by the cheese, sour cream, and bacon. Stir to combine making sure everything is incorporated.

    closeup of mashed potatoes cooked in a slow cooker
    mashed potatoes with milk poured over top

    Step 4: Top with a bit of extra shredded cheddar cheese and green onions, if preferred, and enjoy!

    slow cooker with mashed potatoes, a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, and bacon pieces

    Variations/ Substitutions

    1. Substitute 4 ounces of cream cheese for ½ cup of cheddar cheese.
    2. Use Yukon gold potatoes or russet potatoes if preferred.
    3. Switch to Colby Jack cheese instead of cheddar cheese for a slightly different taste.
    4. Turn this dish into a baked casserole, by boiling potatoes on the stovetop and transferring them to a baking dish, and baking in the oven covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered for another 20 until heated through and the melty cheese is all nice and bubbly.
    mashed potatoes in a white bowl with shredded cheese and bacon on top

    Tips

    • Red potato skin is thin and delicate, so it’s not necessary to remove it, but you can.
    • Add ½ teaspoon garlic powder and/or onion powder, if desired.
    • Some crunchy fried onions would be another great topping idea.
    • Top with sliced fresh chives, if desired.
    • For a little added heat, add in some chopped jalapeños.
    • There’s always room for more diced bacon. if desired.
    • Top with chives instead of scallions for a change.
    • Mixing or 1-2 minced garlic cloves or roasted garlic added to your potatoes is an awesome way to make yourself some garlic mashed potatoes. So good!
    • To keep them warm, keep the crock pot on the warm setting until ready to serve. 

    FAQ’s

    How to Store?

    Once cooled, store any leftover mashed potatoes for up to 3 days in the fridge. Sometimes I find freezing potatoes a little funny as it can change the texture, so I typically try and eat it all when I have the chance!

    How to Reheat?

    To reheat them, place them in the oven on medium until heated through, or on the stovetop. You may find you need to add a little liquid to get them back to a creamy consistency.

    Other Recipes

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe below. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram!

    closeup of a white bowl of mashed potatoes loaded with bacon, and shredded cheese.

    Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes

    Easy cheesy slow cooker loaded mashed potatoes are a simple way to bring a delicious side dish to life by mixing in sour cream, smoky bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese!
    5 from 15 votes
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    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 5
    Calories: 439kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 2.5 pounds red potatoes cut into one inch pieces
    • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • Salt and pepper
    • ½ cup milk
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • 4 strips bacon cooked and diced into small pieces.

    Instructions

    • Grease the bottom of the slow cooker with cooking spray or a little oil.
    • Add the potatoes, chicken broth, butter, salt, and pepper.
    • Place the lid on and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours until the potatoes are very tender.
    • Remove the lid and mash the potatoes until creamy with a potato masher or electric hand mixer on low speed.
    • Then stir in the milk and stir to combine.
    • Add the cheese, sour cream and bacon and stir to mix thoroughly.
    • If not serving immediately, set the slow cooker to “warm” until ready to serve.
    • Top with more shredded cheese and scallions if preferred.

    Notes

    Use Yukon gold potatoes if preferred.
    Remove potato skin if preferred.
    Add ½ teaspoon garlic powder if desired.
    Add sliced green onions if desired.
    Add more bacon if desired.
    Use precooked bacon for quicker
    Substitute 4 ounces of cream cheese for ½ cup of cheddar cheese.
    Shredding cheese off a block is best but use pre-shredded cheese if desired.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 439kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 411mg | Potassium: 1190mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 591IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 236mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

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    Filed Under: Crock Pot Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Recipes, Side Dishes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. mary jane adkins

      August 31, 2023 at 9:25 pm

      It sounds good well.have to try thank you

      Reply
    2. Patty

      November 27, 2021 at 8:10 pm

      Sounds very good and quick

      Reply

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    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

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