Hearty Slow Cooker Steak & Cheddar Potato Casserole (Print Version)

Make this comforting slow cooker steak & cheddar potato casserole. Tender steak, creamy potatoes, and sharp cheddar create a dish everyone loves.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 31 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Meat, Dairy

# Ingredients:

→ Main Players

01 - 2 lbs stew beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds
03 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped

→ Flavor Foundation

04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 4 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
06 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
07 - 1 tbsp olive oil
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Creamy Goodness

09 - 1 cup heavy cream
10 - 2 tbsp cornstarch

→ Finishing Touches

11 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
12 - Fresh parsley or chives, chopped, for garnish (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get that beef browned. Pat your stew beef dry, then season it generously with salt and pepper. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, add the beef in a single layer, working in batches if you need to. You want a good, deep sear on all sides; this creates so much flavor, a step I always forget to salt the water, but never this! Honestly, it makes all the difference for this Slow Cooker Steak & Cheddar Potato Casserole.
02 - Once the beef is seared, set it aside. In the same skillet, toss in your chopped yellow onion and minced garlic. Let them cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re softened and fragrant. Oh, that smell! It’s just the beginning of all the deliciousness. Don't let them burn, though; a little golden is good, black is bad. I’ve definitely overdone it once or twice, making the whole dish taste a bit bitter, oops.
03 - Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This is where all that flavor you built up really comes to life! Bring it to a simmer for a minute. Then, transfer the seared beef, the onion-garlic mixture, and the liquid into your slow cooker. This is starting to look like a proper Slow Cooker Steak & Cheddar Potato Casserole!
04 - Now, it’s potato time! Add your sliced potatoes right on top of the beef and liquid in the slow cooker. Give them a gentle stir to make sure they’re somewhat submerged in the liquid. You want them to soak up all those amazing flavors as they cook down. Don’t overcrowd the slow cooker; sometimes I get a little too ambitious with my potato portions, and it makes things cook unevenly.
05 - Cover your slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The goal is super tender beef and fork-tender potatoes. Around the 5-hour mark on low, or 2.5 hours on high, I usually peek in and give it a gentle stir just to check on things. The smell filling your kitchen will be incredible, I promise!
06 - Once the beef and potatoes are tender, whisk together the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker. Then, pour in the heavy cream and give it another good stir. Let it cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Finally, sprinkle that glorious sharp cheddar cheese over the top, put the lid back on for 5-10 minutes, or until it's perfectly melted and bubbly. This is the best part of our Slow Cooker Steak & Cheddar Potato Casserole!

# Notes:

01 - Don't skip searing the steak! It adds so much depth, I learned that the hard way.
02 - This slow cooker steak & cheddar potato casserole actually tastes better the next day, perfect for meal prep.
03 - If you're out of sharp cheddar, a mix of mild cheddar and a touch of smoked gouda works surprisingly well.
04 - A sprinkle of fresh chives right before serving makes this dish look and taste restaurant-worthy, honestly.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
02 - large skillet
03 - whisk

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 650 kcal
Total Fat: 35g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 40g

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