There is something mighty comforting about letting a slow cooker do the work, especially on a day meant for putting your feet up a spell. These 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker National Relaxation Day Potatoes take a humble bag of frozen steak fries and turn them into a creamy, savory side dish with hardly any fuss at all. It is the kind of practical, filling recipe that feels right at home in a Midwestern kitchen, where simple ingredients and easy methods have always had a place at the table.
Serve these potatoes alongside grilled burgers, roasted chicken, meatloaf, pork chops, or even a platter of barbecue sandwiches. They also fit nicely on a brunch table with scrambled eggs and sausage, and if you are feeding a crowd, a crisp green salad or simple steamed green beans help round out all that rich, hearty goodness.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker National Relaxation Day Potatoes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 bag (26 to 32 ounces) frozen steak fries
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 small onion, finely chopped
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker. Spread the frozen steak fries evenly across the bottom.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, and the chopped onion until well combined.
3. Spoon the mixture over the fries and gently spread it to cover as much of the top as you can. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and heated through.
4. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the top during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Let it melt, then spoon the potatoes gently before serving so the creamy sauce coats the fries.
Variations & Tips
Add Bacon: If you want to make these potatoes a little heartier, stir in 1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon with the sauce mixture or sprinkle it over the top before serving. That smoky flavor goes beautifully with the creamy sauce and cheddar.
Swap the Soup: Cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup both work nicely here if that is what you have in the pantry. Each one gives the dish its own little character without changing the easy nature of the recipe.
Use a Liner or Grease Well: Slow cooker potato dishes can cling a bit around the edges. A crock liner or a good coating of butter or cooking spray will make cleanup easier, which is just about the whole spirit of a relaxation-day supper.
Do Not Overstir: Since steak fries soften as they cook, stir gently at the end so they hold their shape. If you mix too much during cooking, the potatoes can break apart and turn mushy.
Make It a Meal: To turn this side dish into a simple supper, add 1 to 2 cups of cooked diced ham or shredded rotisserie chicken. It makes a cozy one-pot dish that stretches nicely for hungry families.