Are you ready to transform ordinary potatoes into a creamy, cheesy masterpiece that will have everyone at your table begging for seconds? Our Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes and Chives recipe is about to become your new go-to comfort food that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. Imagine tender, perfectly cooked potatoes swimming in a rich, velvety cheese sauce, topped with fresh chives that add a burst of freshness – all prepared effortlessly in your slow cooker!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup chopped chives
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes by washing, peeling, and cutting them into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking.
- Grease the inside of your slow cooker with butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the diced potatoes into the slow cooker, spreading them evenly across the bottom of the cooking vessel.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine sour cream, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk the ingredients until they are thoroughly blended.
- Pour the cheese and cream mixture over the potatoes, ensuring all potato pieces are well coated and covered.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set to cook on low heat for 4 hours, or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle additional shredded cheese on top if desired for extra cheesiness.
- Once cooking is complete, gently stir the potatoes to distribute the sauce evenly and ensure all pieces are coated.
- Garnish with additional fresh chopped chives before serving for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve hot as a side dish, ensuring each serving gets a good mix of potatoes and creamy cheese sauce.
Tips
- Choose the right potatoes: Opt for starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold, which hold their shape well during slow cooking and create a creamy texture.
- Cut potatoes uniformly: Ensure all potato cubes are roughly the same size (1-inch) to guarantee even cooking and consistent tenderness.
- Prevent sticking: Always grease your slow cooker thoroughly before adding ingredients to make serving and cleaning easier.
- Don't rush the cooking: Cooking on low heat for the full 4 hours allows the potatoes to become perfectly tender and absorb all the delicious flavors.
- For extra richness, use full-fat dairy products like whole milk and sour cream.
- Customize your cheese: While cheddar is classic, feel free to experiment with different cheese blends like a mix of sharp cheddar and gruyère.
- Fresh chives make a difference: Add some at the beginning of cooking and sprinkle more fresh chives just before serving for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Check potato doneness by piercing with a fork – they should be soft but not mushy.
- For a golden top, consider finishing under the broiler for 2-3 minutes if you want a slightly crispy cheese crust.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 45mg
