Description
These Slow Cooker Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes are a deliciously creamy and savory side dish perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Tender baby potatoes are layered with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and flavorful ranch seasoning, then slow-cooked to perfection for a warm, comforting meal-ready dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Dairy
- ½ pound bacon
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Vegetables
- 1 pound halved baby potatoes
- 1 large thinly sliced onion
- ½ cup sliced green onions
Seasoning
- 1 package dry ranch seasoning packet
Instructions
- Cook Bacon and Onion: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and bake the bacon along with the thinly sliced onion for approximately 16 minutes until the bacon is cooked but not too crisp.
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Line your slow cooker with aluminum foil, leaving enough foil hanging over the sides to later wrap the potatoes. Spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray.
- Layer Ingredients: Place half of the halved baby potatoes evenly on the bottom of the slow cooker. Next, layer half of the cooked bacon, followed by half of the cooked sliced onion, half of the green onions, half of the ranch seasoning packet, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining potatoes, bacon, onions, green onions, ranch seasoning, and cheese. Reserve ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese to top off later. Pour the melted butter evenly over the layered ingredients.
- Cook Potatoes: Cover the layered contents with the remaining foil to create a sealed environment that steams the potatoes. Cook on low heat in the slow cooker for 4 to 6 hours until potatoes are tender.
- Add Final Cheese and Garnish: Once cooking is complete, sprinkle the reserved ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese on top and allow it to melt. Garnish with fresh green onions if desired before serving.
Notes
- Using foil liners in the slow cooker helps with easier cleanup and keeps the potatoes moist.
- Baking bacon with onions in the oven prevents the bacon from becoming overly crispy while infusing onion flavor.
- Adjust seasoning to taste if preferred less salty or more spicy.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the microwave or oven.
- For a crispy cheese top, briefly broil after slow cooking if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
