Tender ground beef, creamy potatoes, crispy bacon, ranch seasoning, and plenty of melted cheese come together in this easy, hearty slow-cooker comfort meal. It’s rich, savory, cheesy, and perfect for a busy weeknight.
Ingredients
For the Beef & Potatoes:
- 1 ½ lb ground beef
- 2 ½ lb baby Yukon Gold or red potatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
For Garnish:
- 2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ cup extra shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley, optional
Directions
- Prepare the Beef
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Drain excess grease.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Prepare the Potatoes
- Wash and cut the potatoes into evenly sized bite-size pieces.
- Leave the skins on for extra texture and flavor, or peel them if preferred.
- Place the potatoes in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Layer Everything
- Add the cooked beef and onion mixture over the potatoes.
- Sprinkle the ranch seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt over everything.
- Pour the beef broth evenly around the edges.
- Slow Cook
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2½–3½ hours.
- The potatoes should be fork-tender and the beef fully cooked.
- Avoid overcooking once the potatoes are tender because they can become mushy.
- Make It Creamy
- About 20–30 minutes before serving, add the softened cream cheese and sour cream.
- Stir gently until incorporated and creamy.
- If the mixture looks too thick, add a few tablespoons of beef broth.
- Add the Bacon and Cheese
- Stir in the crumbled bacon.
- Sprinkle the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover and cook for another 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted.
- Finish and Serve
- Gently stir some of the melted cheese through the potatoes and beef.
- Top with extra bacon, green onions, cheddar, and fresh parsley.
- Serve hot.
Q/S — Quantity & Serving Information
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5–6 hours on LOW or 2½–3½ hours on HIGH
- Total Time: About 5½ hours
- Servings: 6–8
- Slow Cooker Size: 6-quart
- Difficulty: Easy
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving, based on 8 servings:
- Calories: 560
- Protein: 31 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1,050 mg
Nut Information
- This recipe does not naturally contain peanuts or tree nuts.
- Cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese are dairy products, not nuts.
- Ranch seasoning, bacon, broth, and packaged shredded cheese can have different allergen or cross-contact statements, so check labels if preparing this for someone with a serious nut allergy.
- For a nut-free preparation, use ingredients specifically labeled according to your allergy requirements.
Recipe Tips
- Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape particularly well in the slow cooker.
- For extra crispy bacon flavor, cook the bacon until very crisp before adding it.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than many pre-shredded varieties.
- Do not add the sour cream too early because prolonged high heat can cause it to separate.
- For extra ranch flavor, add ½ teaspoon dried dill.
- For a spicy version, add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
- You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the beef, although the flavor will be lighter.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of beef broth or milk.
Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.
With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.
With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.
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