Crock Pot Crack Hash Brown Potatoes, the quintessential comfort food gets an easy and delicious make-over with the addition of Ranch seasoning and bacon.
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This is an effortless, 5-minute prep recipe that will become your go-to potato casserole. It’s great any time from busy weeknights to family holiday celebrations to church potlucks.
Easy and cheesy, Crock Pot Crack Hash Brown Potatoes are always a crowd favorite.
CROCK POT CRACK HASH BROWN POTATOES
Is there a substitution for sour cream?
Yes, you can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Actually, I used Fage 0% milk fat Greek Yogurt in this recipe. Furthermore, I almost always use this Greek yogurt instead of sour cream in recipes.
Can I substitute cheddar cheese for the Colby Cheddar mix?
Yes, I prefer the Colby cheddar mix because cheddar tends to be oily when melted. However, you can use all cheddar. As well, you can use any cheese you have on hand. Gouda, Havarti, and Monterrey are very good choices.
Can I bake this casserole in the oven?
Absolutely! First, Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Next, spray a 2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl combine potatoes, sour cream, Ranch seasoning, 1 cup cheese, pepper, half of the bacon, + 1/2 cup milk. Mix well. Spread into prepared baking dish. Spread remaining cheese and bacon evenly over hash browns. Bake, uncovered, 45 minutes or until hash browns are tender.
Can I cook my own bacon?
Yes! I used store-bought, pre-cooked Bacon Crumbles for convenience. However, you can cook 5 – 6 slices of bacon if you prefer.
CROCK POT CRACK HASH BROWN POTATOES
I found with the Ranch seasoning and bacon these potatoes didn’t need additional salt.
Try my Homemade Ranch Seasoning recipe which has an even lower salt content.
Finally, three hours may seem like an excessive time to cook this casserole. It does take that long for the potatoes to cook through.
More amazing potato recipes:
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- Hasselback Scalloped Potatoes
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- Campfire Potato Foil Packs
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- Twice Baked Pimento Cheese Potatoes
More delicious slow cooker recipes:
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Crock Pot Crack Hash Brown Potatoes
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Save To Your Recipe BoxIngredients
- 1 20-ounce bag hash brown potatoes I use this brand but you can use any
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup milk whole milk
- 1 tablespoon Ranch seasoning *seasoning, not dressing
- 2 cups Colby cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4.3 ounces bacon crumbles like these
Instructions
- Please read post above for substitutions
- In a slow cooker, combine hash brown potatoes, sour cream, milk, Ranch seasoning, black pepper, 1 cup cheese, and half the bacon. Stir to combine. Sprinkle remaining cheese and bacon on top.
- Cook on high for 3 hours.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
You can also find great recipes here or at Meal Plan Monday or Weekend Potluck.
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Amy says
Can you cook on low?
Paula says
yes
PATRICIA S DAYTON says
I made these yesterday for Easter dinner and they were excellent! I wasn’t sure if the hash browns called for were the refrigerated or the frozen type, so I used frozen and weighed out 20 ounces. I also did not thaw them, so I actually used my hands to thoroughly mix everything together before topping with the remaining cheese and bacon. The recipe didn’t specify whether to cook covered or uncovered, so I covered and cooked them about 3 1/2 hours (since the potatoes were frozen) and they were a total hit! The flavors really complement each other, and our guests raved about them! Thank you – I’ll be trying lots more of your recipes!!
Pauline says
I made this for New Years Eve. Everyone loved them. Making them again tomorrow for a party at my dads.
Connie J Platts says
What temp is high my cooker goes by degrees…not low med or high?
Gail says
Can I make this overnight on low temp?
Diana says
Can you add hash browns frozen? Thanks!
Paula says
Yes, just check, they will need just a little longer to cook if you put them in frozen.
Sharon says
Do you have to do anything with the frozen hash brown before adding it to recipe? Like defrost it first?
Paula says
No, they can be added frozen.
Laurie says
Question. Awhen making this as a casserole in the oven recipe calls for “half the bacon + ½ cup milk”. Dies this mean ONLY a ½ cup of milk vs the full 1 cup used for the crockpot OR an ADDITIONAL ½ cup of milk for the casserole, totally 1½ cup???
Paula says
Only 1/2 cup milk
Heather says
Have you ever used 4 bags of the 20oz diced potatoes. I have a huge crock pot and want to make a larger amount. Would you quadruple all of the ingredients?? Thanks!
Paula says
I haven’t made that much, but it’ll work. Check the potatoes for doneness, it may take extra time.
Rose says
Is it one cup of milk if making this recipe in the slow cooker and 1/2 cup milk if making It in the oven?
Paula says
Yes, that’s correct
Rose says
Am I understanding correctly, 1/2 cup milk if I am baking in the oven and 1 cup of milk if I am using a slow cooker?
Paula says
Yes, that’s how I do it.
Shannon Winburn says
Is the 2 cups of cheese am 8 oz block which when shredded equals 2 cups? Thank you
Paula says
It 2 cups shredded then measured after it’s shredded
Deanna says
I want to make this tomorrow… If I use sliced fresh red potatoes instead if frozen, do I keep the cooking time the same?
Thank you.. this looks delicious!
Paula says
The time should be about the same. Check with a fork before the last hour of cooking.
Linda Peterson says
Does this recipe reheat well?
Paula says
Yes. We ate them warm up about 3 meals/days.
Liz says
I accidentally bought refrigerated potatoes and not frozen. Does this change the cooking time? Also doubling the recipe for a larger group- I’m assuming cooking time won’t change?
Thanks!
Liz
Paula says
Cooking time should be the same. Check them about the last hour, but I think you’ll be fine.
Brenda says
This looks good! Could it be made in the Instant Pot by chance?
Melissa says
If I double the recipe, should I double the cooking time as well? Or would the cooking time stay the same?
Valerie says
Can you add chicken to this? If so can i throw it in raw and let it cool with everything else?
Paula says
Yes, I’d cut in cubes instead of a large breast
Leanne says
Could the casserole be mixed up the night before and refrigerated? Then I would cook it in the oven?
Thanks!!
It sounds delicious. Can’t wait to try it!
Leanne
Paula says
Yes, it can me mixed the night before. And it can be baked in the oven
Beth says
This looks delicious and I’ll be making it in the crockpot for Christmas!
I believe the nutrition facts are possibly incorrect. I am a pre-diabetic, low carb dieter so I’m always checking the carbohydrates. This says there are only 2 carbs per serving. That seems very low.
Elizabeth Sandefur says
How long would it take on low?
Paula says
5 to 6 on low
Chris Stewart says
I made this for a potluck at work and it was a huge hit!
I wish I’d doubled up the recipe because it was gone FAST and most people wanted seconds.
I made the recipe (almost) exactly as instructed.
The only changes I made was I used 1 tsp of black pepper instead of a ½ tsp, and I used 6 oz (to 3 oz containers) of Real Bacon Bits instead of 4.3 oz.
Melissa says
Did you use frozen or refrigerated potatoes?
Paula says
I used these: http://simplypotatoes.com/
but you can use either
Michelle Chevalier says
Hello,
Can I add eggs, if so what layer should they be & how many can I add?
Thank you 🙂
Paula says
I haven’t tried it with eggs so it’s hard to give a recommendation on it.
Taylor says
I’ve made similar dish to this, I put the hash browns down first, then the eggs and whatever else on top. But you can also mix them in if you want – will all cook and taste the same regardless
Trisha Hill says
What size crock pot did you use 4 qt or 6 qt? Was wondering as I wanted to double the recipe
Paula says
I used a 6 quart
CHasity says
CAN you bake it longer on the Low setting?
Paula says
yes
Victoria says
If I am doubling the recipe, is it for 6 hours on high or still 3 hours? Thanks!
Paula says
It should cook in the same amount of time
Denise says
Can not WAIT to try this! I don’t like onions so I really appreciate this recipe! One quick and simple question: do the hash browns need to be thawed? Forgive me if you answered that above but I didn’t catch it anywhere….
Paula says
Hey Denise, no you don’t have to thaw the hash browns.
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This is absolutely amazing! Can’t wait to give it a try!
Beth says
just love these kinds of brunch dishes. So comforting and great to feed a crowd!
Lindsay Cotter says
This cheesy deliciousness is always a favorite! Love how easy it is to make!
Bruce S. Lorenzana says
Is there a reason no quantity is listed for yellow onions, chopped
Paula says
I did not put onions in the casserole, but you can if you wish. IN the photo, what you may be thinking are onions are the hash brown potatoes.
Martha Forsyth says
Are the hash browns from the frozen section of the store?
Paula says
You can use either frozen or the ‘fresh cut’ refrigerated hash browns
Jen says
I have frozen hash browns on hand, do they need to defrost first?
Paula says
You don’t have to defrost them, but it’ll take a little longer to cook. You’ll have to test for doneness.
Nancy says
I couldn’t read the recipe for all the ads & chaos on this page.
Paula says
It’s a great recipe
Sara says
Please don’t use “crack” to describe any recipe – there are quite literally hundreds of other words to describe a dish so delicious that it makes people never want to stop eating it. Using “crack” to allude to the descriptive properties is not lighthearted and fun. Would you use descriptors of alcoholism, heroin use, or Oxycontin abuse to describe a dish?
Paula says
CRACK is the combination of cheese, bacon, and ranch seasoning in recipes.
https://www.plainchicken.com/2019/02/crack-chicken-casserole.html
https://www.plainchicken.com/2019/01/low-carb-crack-chicken-casserole.html
https://www.plainchicken.com/2019/02/instant-pot-scalloped-crack-potatoes.html
https://jenniferbanz.com/crack-chicken
https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/slow-cooker-crack-chicken/
https://cookiesandcups.com/slow-cooker-crack-chicken/
https://dinnerthendessert.com/slow-cooker-chicken-bacon-ranch-sandwiches-crack-chicken/
https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/crack-chicken/
Carrie says
Have you ever made this recipe in an Instant pot? If so can you please post those instructions? Thanks 😊
Paula says
I have not.
Barbara Klees says
Hello trying to get this recipe and can’t get it. Crock Pot Crank Hash Brown Potatoes alot of pictures but no recipe to copy I love to cook and these look like a winner can you HELP ME raba63@aol.com
Paula says
Scroll down the page, you’ll see the recipe
Jim Ulery says
Looks good, but I can’t a tab/button/icon to print the recipe. I don’t use Facebook or that stuff.
Paula says
Try it again, there were widespread internet problems this morning that may have affected my site