When the sun dips early and the kitchen smells like something slow-cooked and bubbling, that’s when this dish makes sense. We made it last Sunday, half-watching football and letting the crockpot do all the work. No peeling, no fuss — just layers of creamy, cheesy comfort.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Set-It-and-Forget-It Convenience
This recipe is the true definition of low effort, high reward. You dump everything into the slow cooker, give it a stir, and walk away. That’s it. No standing over a hot stove or pre-boiling anything.
You don’t even need to thaw the frozen potatoes.
Creamy, Cheesy Comfort Food
These Kentucky Crockpot Potatoes are rich, indulgent, and full of flavor. The combo of creamy soup, tangy sour cream, and gooey melted cheese wraps around every bite like a warm blanket.
It’s the kind of side dish that people go back for seconds… and thirds.
Perfect for Family Dinners or Potlucks
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or bringing something to a potluck, this recipe travels well and reheats beautifully. It holds its texture, stays creamy, and pairs with just about anything.
We’ve served it next to ham, roast chicken, and even our garlic butter steak and potatoes. It always fits.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Key Ingredients Breakdown
- Frozen O’Brien potatoes: These come pre-diced with onions and peppers, saving you prep time and adding a bit of flavor.
- Potato soup: Adds body and creaminess.
- Sour cream: Balances the richness with a slight tang.
- Cheddar cheese: Half goes in the mix for meltiness, and the rest bakes into a cheesy top layer.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, salt, and black pepper round things out.
Substitutions & Add-Ons (Optional)
- Fresh potatoes: You can dice your own, but then we’re not talking “minimal prep” anymore.
- Add-ins: Try chopped bacon, green onions, or even jalapeños if you like a kick.
- Different cheese: Monterey Jack or Colby would work well too.
How to Make Kentucky Crockpot Potatoes
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add both bags of frozen O’Brien potatoes straight into your slow cooker. No need to thaw.
- Stir in one can of potato soup and one cup of sour cream.
- Sprinkle in garlic powder, salt, and pepper to your taste.
- Mix in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Spread the remaining cheese right over the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until the potatoes are soft and the cheese is melted and golden.
Tips for Best Results
- Don’t overcook: Once the potatoes are fork-tender and the cheese is bubbly, it’s ready.
- Check seasoning early if you’re using a salty soup or cheese.
- Give it a stir halfway through if you’re home — this helps everything melt together better.
Serving Suggestions
What to Serve With
This creamy side dish goes with just about anything. It pairs especially well with:
- Grilled or roasted chicken
- Pulled pork or brisket
- Cheesy ground beef and potato casserole for a double-comfort combo
- Crockpot garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes for even more flavor-packed slow cooker goodness
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Microwave in short bursts or warm in the oven at 300°F until hot.
- Freezing: Not ideal — the texture can go grainy — but doable if needed. Let thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do potatoes cook well in a slow cooker?
Yes, they do. Especially frozen ones like O’Brien potatoes. They soak up flavor and turn soft without falling apart.
Do I need to boil potatoes before adding to a slow cooker?
Nope. That’s the beauty of this recipe. Frozen O’Brien potatoes go in straight from the bag — no boiling or peeling needed.
How to get potatoes to soften in a crockpot?
Make sure there’s enough moisture in the mix (soup and sour cream help here). Also, cook on low and give them time — 4–5 hours usually does the trick.
More Such Recipes
If you love cheesy, cozy sides, you’ll want to check out these next:
- Easy creamy cheesy potato bake for oven-baked comfort
- Cheesy ground beef and potato casserole if you’re craving a heartier meal
- Garlic butter steak and potatoes for when you want a full plate of savory satisfaction
Kentucky Crockpot Potatoes Recipe Card
Print
Kentucky Crockpot Potatoes – Easy, Delicious Comfort Food
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy, cheesy Kentucky Crockpot Potatoes made with frozen O’Brien potatoes, potato soup, and sour cream. A comforting, no-fuss slow cooker side dish.
Ingredients
2 bags frozen O’Brien potatoes (with onions and peppers)
1 can potato soup
1 cup sour cream
Garlic powder (to taste)
Salt (to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
Instructions
1. Add both bags of frozen O’Brien potatoes to the crockpot.
2. Mix in the potato soup and sour cream.
3. Season with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.
4. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
6. Cover and cook in the slow cooker for a few hours until potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
No need to thaw the potatoes beforehand.
Use sharp cheddar for stronger flavor.
For a golden top, uncover the slow cooker for the last 15–20 minutes.
Pairs perfectly with meats like roast chicken, steak, or pulled pork.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Slow Cooker Recipes
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Final Thoughts
Wrap-Up & Encouragement to Try the Recipe
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about a dish like this. Simple ingredients, warm flavors, and the ease of letting your slow cooker do the heavy lifting.
Whether it’s a lazy Sunday, a family dinner, or a weeknight meal that needs to cook itself — these Kentucky Crockpot Potatoes hit the spot.
Try it once, and I think you’ll come back to it all season long.
And if you’re on Pinterest or Facebook, you can follow along for more slow cooker ideas at Kai Recipes on Pinterest or Kai Recipes on Facebook.