Pour raw sliced russet potatoes in the slow cooker and 3 simple pantry goods to get a meal so delicious your friends will be begging for more at the cookout.

These 4-ingredient slow cooker cookout slices are my shortcut answer to the question, “What can I bring that everyone will devour?” Thick-cut russet potatoes go straight into the slow cooker raw, then get drenched in a rich, creamy, pantry-based sauce that turns them into something between scalloped potatoes and a loaded baked potato casserole. This kind of potato dish has roots in classic Midwestern potlucks—simple ingredients, long slow cooking, and a comforting, crowd-pleasing payoff without hovering over the stove or heating up the oven.

Serve these creamy potato slices right from the slow cooker to keep them warm on a buffet table at a cookout. They pair beautifully with grilled burgers, brats, ribs, or barbecue chicken. Add something crisp and fresh alongside—like a vinegar-based coleslaw, a green salad, or grilled vegetables—to balance the richness. A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or chives on top just before serving adds color and a little freshness, and a bottle of hot sauce on the side lets heat-lovers doctor their own plates.

Servings: 6-8

3 pounds russet potatoes, scrubbed and sliced 1/3–1/2 inch thick (peeling optional)

Lightly grease the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with a little oil or nonstick spray to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Scrub the russet potatoes well and pat dry. Slice them into thick rounds, about 1/3–1/2 inch thick. You can peel them if you prefer a softer, more traditional scalloped texture, but the skins add a rustic feel and hold up nicely in the slow cooker.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, the kosher salt, and the black pepper (if using) until the cheese is mostly incorporated and the mixture is a rich, creamy yellow. It will look slightly lumpy from the cheese—that’s fine.

Place the thick potato slices into the slow cooker, spreading them out as evenly as you can but without worrying about perfect layers. The cooker should be about two-thirds to three-quarters full once all the potatoes are in.

Slowly pour the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the potatoes, making sure to cover as many of the slices as possible. Gently jiggle or tap the slow cooker insert so the liquid settles down between the layers.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, or on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.

Once the potatoes are tender, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let cook on HIGH for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, just until the cheese on top is melted and glossy.

Taste a spoonful of the sauce and a potato slice, then adjust seasoning with a pinch more salt or pepper if needed. Switch the slow cooker to WARM for serving, keeping the lid on to hold in heat and moisture until you’re ready to bring it to the cookout table.

For a smokier, more cookout-focused flavor, stir 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder into the evaporated milk mixture before pouring it over the potatoes. If you like a little heat, a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes works well too. To make this feel more like a loaded baked potato dish, scatter 4 to 6 strips of cooked, crumbled bacon and 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped green onions over the top along with the final layer of cheese. You can also swap part of the cheddar for another pantry-friendly cheese like Monterey Jack or Colby if that’s what you have. For a slightly lighter version, use 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk and 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, but keep in mind the sauce will be a bit less rich. If you need to hold the potatoes for a while, keep the slow cooker on WARM and stir every 30 to 45 minutes so the edges don’t overcook. Food safety tips: Always start with clean, scrubbed potatoes and a clean slow cooker insert. Don’t leave the finished dish on WARM for more than 2 to 3 hours; after that, cool leftovers quickly by transferring them to shallow containers and refrigerating within 2 hours of cooking. Reheat leftovers to steaming hot (165°F / 74°C) before serving. Because this recipe uses dairy, avoid leaving it out on a picnic table at room temperature for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s above 90°F / 32°C).