Description: This Crockpot Loaded Steak and Potato Bake is the ultimate comfort food – tender steak, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker. It’s a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy dish to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser and a delightful way to enjoy the classic combination of steak and potatoes with a creamy, cheesy twist.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb steak (ribeye or sirloin), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced (Russet or Yukon Gold work well)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (sharp or mild, depending on preference)
- 1 cup sour cream (full-fat or low-fat)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Preparation:
Before you begin, gather all your ingredients and ensure they are prepped according to the instructions. This includes dicing the potatoes, cutting the steak into bite-sized pieces, and dicing the onion. Having everything ready will make the assembly process much smoother.
Step 1: Prepare the Crockpot Base
The foundation of our Crockpot Loaded Steak and Potato Bake begins with placing the diced potatoes at the bottom of the Crockpot. Potatoes need the most time to cook, this placement ensures they are adequately cooked, and adding the steak on top allows its juices to flavor the potatoes as it cooks. Layering ensures even cooking and a more balanced flavor profile. Evenly spread the diced potatoes across the bottom of the Crockpot.
Step 2: Add Steak and Seasonings
Next, add the bite-sized steak pieces on top of the diced potatoes. Sprinkle the diced onion, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper over the steak and potatoes. The seasonings penetrate the steak and potatoes evenly, creating a complex flavor profile throughout the dish. Generously season the ingredients, but remember that the ranch dressing also contains salt.
Step 3: Prepare the Creamy Sauce
In a separate small bowl, combine the sour cream, ranch dressing, and heavy cream. Whisk these ingredients together until they are smooth and well combined. Ensure there are no lumps and that the mixture is homogenous. This creamy sauce provides the dish with richness and ties all the ingredients together. This is the magic ingredient that will give a mouthwatering flavour.
Step 4: Combine All Ingredients in the Crockpot
Pour the creamy sauce mixture over the steak, potatoes, and seasoning mixture in the Crockpot. Gently stir everything to combine, ensuring that the potatoes and steak are evenly coated with the sauce. Avoid over-stirring to prevent the potatoes from breaking apart too much.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the Crockpot and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and the steak is cooked through. Cooking on low allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, and the steak becomes incredibly tender. Check the potatoes for doneness with a fork – they should be easily pierced.
Step 6: Add Cheese
About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the mixture. Cover the Crockpot again to allow the cheese to melt completely. The melted cheddar cheese adds a gooey, cheesy layer that complements the creamy potatoes and tender steak.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once the cheese is melted, garnish with fresh chopped parsley to add a touch of freshness and visual appeal. The parsley brightens the dish and adds a subtle herbaceous note. Serve the Crockpot Loaded Steak and Potato Bake hot, and enjoy the creamy, cheesy, and hearty flavors of this delectable meal.
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- Effortless Cooking: Dump-and-go simplicity makes this recipe incredibly easy for busy individuals and families.
- Delicious Flavor: The creamy sauce, tender steak, and cheesy topping create a mouthwatering combination of flavors.
- Comfort Food: It’s the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings or any time you crave a hearty, satisfying meal.
- Versatile: Easily customizable to suit your taste preferences – swap out the steak for ground beef, add different cheeses, or include vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Prepare it in advance and let it cook while you are at work, coming home to a ready-to-eat dinner.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve as a main course with a side salad or steamed vegetables.
- Pair it with crusty bread or dinner rolls for soaking up the creamy sauce.
- Top with additional toppings such as bacon bits, green onions, or jalapenos for extra flavor and texture.
- Serve in individual bowls for easy portioning and a comforting dining experience.
- Serve on top of corn bread or mashed potatoes for a super decadent meal.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use ribeye steak or chuck roast, and marinate the steak before cooking.
- To prevent the potatoes from sticking to the bottom of the Crockpot, spray it with non-stick cooking spray before adding the ingredients.
- If you want to add vegetables, such as bell peppers or mushrooms, add them along with the potatoes at the beginning of the cooking process.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the Crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- For a healthier version, use low-fat sour cream and cheddar cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
- Use different kinds of cheeses for different flavors.
- Do not overcook the dish as the steak may become too tough.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6-7 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes – 7 hours 15 minutes
Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving):
- Calories: 450-500
- Protein: 30-35g
- Fat: 25-30g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35g
- Sodium: 500-700mg
Conclusion:
The Crockpot Loaded Steak and Potato Bake is a delightful and convenient way to enjoy a hearty and flavorful meal. With minimal prep time and a slow cooker doing all the work, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or relaxing weekends. The creamy, cheesy, and satisfying flavors are sure to please everyone at the table. Feel free to customize the ingredients to suit your preferences and enjoy this ultimate comfort food dish.
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Can I use a different type of steak for this recipe?
A: Absolutely! While ribeye or sirloin are recommended for their tenderness and flavor, you can certainly substitute with other cuts of steak such as chuck roast (cut into smaller pieces), or even flank steak. Just be mindful that tougher cuts may require a slightly longer cooking time to become tender. Ensure the steak is cooked through to a safe internal temperature.
Q2: Can I make this recipe with ground beef instead of steak?
A: Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to use ground beef. Brown the ground beef in a skillet on the stovetop before adding it to the Crockpot with the other ingredients. Drain off any excess grease before adding the beef to the Crockpot. The cooking time should remain the same.
Q3: What if I don’t have ranch dressing? Can I use something else?
A: If you don’t have ranch dressing, you can substitute it with a similar creamy dressing like blue cheese dressing or Italian dressing. Alternatively, you can create a homemade ranch-like sauce by mixing mayonnaise, buttermilk, and a blend of dried herbs and spices (such as dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper). Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
Q4: Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
A: Definitely! Feel free to add other vegetables to this recipe to increase its nutritional value and flavor complexity. Some great options include bell peppers (diced), mushrooms (sliced), corn kernels, peas, or green beans. Add these vegetables along with the potatoes at the beginning of the cooking process to ensure they cook through properly.
Q5: How do I prevent the potatoes from becoming mushy in the Crockpot?
A: To prevent the potatoes from becoming mushy, avoid overcooking them. Keep an eye on the cooking time and check for doneness with a fork after 6 hours. Also, choose potato varieties that hold their shape well during slow cooking, such as Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. Avoid waxy potatoes like red potatoes, which tend to break down more easily.
