Introduction

Loaded Potato Casserole is the ultimate comfort food side dish packed with creamy potatoes, melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and rich sour cream flavor. Made easily in the slow cooker, this hearty casserole is perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, brunch tables, potlucks, or game day parties. Every bite is warm, cheesy, and loaded with classic baked potato flavors that everyone loves.

Ingredients

• 1 (30–32 ounce) bag frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled, divided
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons sliced green onions or chives, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Thaw the Hash Browns

For the best texture, thaw the frozen hash browns in the refrigerator overnight or leave them on the counter for 30–45 minutes until they separate easily but remain cold.

2. Prepare the Slow Cooker

Spray the inside of a 5–6 quart slow cooker generously with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Cook the Bacon

Cook the bacon until crispy using your preferred method. Drain on paper towels and crumble into pieces. Reserve about half of the bacon for the topping later.

4. Mix the Potato Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

• thawed hash browns
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• half of the crumbled bacon
• sour cream
• salt
• black pepper

Stir until the mixture is creamy and evenly coated.

5. Fill the Slow Cooker

Transfer the potato mixture into the prepared slow cooker. Spread evenly and gently press down with the back of a spoon without packing it too tightly.

6. Slow Cook

Cover with the lid and cook:

• LOW: 4–5 hours
• HIGH: 2–3 hours

Cook until the potatoes are tender and the edges are hot and bubbly. Avoid lifting the lid often during cooking.

7. Add the Final Toppings

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole, followed by the reserved bacon. Cover again and cook on LOW for another 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.

8. Garnish and Serve

Top with sliced green onions or chives before serving for extra color and fresh flavor. Serve hot directly from the slow cooker or transfer to a serving dish for a more polished presentation.

Variations & Tips

• Add garlic powder or onion powder for extra flavor.
• Swap bacon for diced ham or cooked breakfast sausage.
• Replace half the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
• Prepare the mixture the night before and refrigerate until ready to cook.

Conclusion

This Loaded Potato Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and packed with comforting flavors that make it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether served at breakfast, brunch, dinner, or a holiday gathering, this slow cooker recipe delivers rich flavor with minimal effort. It’s the kind of warm, hearty side dish everyone comes back for seconds to enjoy.