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Okay, so let’s be real for a second. Sometimes, after a crazy day, the *last* thing you want to do is spend ages in the kitchen, right? I totally get it. There was a time when cooking felt like just another chore on my never-ending list. But then I stumbled upon this magical thing – the crockpot steak and potato bake. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, seriously! Imagine all the goodness of a loaded baked potato – tender steak, fluffy potatoes, crispy bacon, and gooey cheese – all happening magically in your slow cooker. It’s the ultimate comfort food and makes me so happy thinking about how easy it is to bring people together with a simple, delicious meal. If you’re looking for that pure cooking joy, you’ve found it! You can read more about my kitchen journey over on the About page, and catch some of the fun on Facebook!
- Why You'll Love This Crockpot Steak and Potato Bake
- Ingredients for Your Crockpot Steak and Potato Bake
- Essential Equipment for a Perfect Crockpot Casserole
- How to Prepare Your Loaded Potato Bake
- Tips for a Perfect Crockpot Casserole
- Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Loaded Potato Bake
- Serving Suggestions for this Family Dinner
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions about Crockpot Steak and Potato Bake
- Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Steak and Potato Bake
Seriously, this crockpot steak and potato bake is a lifesaver on busy nights. It’s a true dump-and-go meal, which I absolutely adore because who has time for fussy cooking? Plus, it tastes just like a loaded potato, all cheesy and hearty with tender steak and that yummy bacon flavor. It’s a winner every single time with my family, making it the perfect, comforting slow cooker dinner.
Ingredients for Your Crockpot Steak and Potato Bake
Okay, gathering everything for this crockpot steak and potato bake couldn’t be simpler, which is exactly what we love, right? You’ll need about 1.5 pounds of sirloin steak, and I like to cut it into pretty generous 1-inch cubes. For the potatoes, grab about a pound of baby red potatoes and just quarter them up – no need to peel them, just give them a good wash!
Then, for that amazing flavor, you’ll want one packet (that’s 1 ounce) of dry ranch seasoning mix. Trust me, it does all the heavy lifting! You’ll also need half a cup of butter, just melted, and about a quarter cup of milk to get everything nice and saucy. To finish it all off, we’ll stir in a cup of shredded cheddar cheese and about half a cup of cooked bacon, all crumbled up. So easy, right?
Essential Equipment for a Perfect Crockpot Casserole
To whip up this amazing crockpot steak and potato bake, you really only need a few key players. A good 6-quart slow cooker is your best friend here – it’s the heart of the operation! You’ll also want a nice mixing bowl for the seasoning magic, a whisk to get it all combined smoothly, and maybe a sturdy spoon or spatula for giving everything a good stir before serving. That’s pretty much it – no fancy gadgets required!
How to Prepare Your Loaded Potato Bake
Alright, let’s get this amazing crockpot steak and potato bake going! It’s seriously one of the easiest things you’ll ever make, perfect for those nights when you just want something delicious without all the fuss. Think of it as hands-off cooking that rewards you with pure comfort food magic. We’re basically layering up a dream, and then letting the slow cooker do all the hard work for us! It’s so simple, you’ll be amazed at the results. You might even find yourself reaching for your slow cooker for more meals, just like how much I love making these crockpot steak bites!
Layering Your Steak and Potatoes
First things first, grab your trusty slow cooker. You’re just going to dump everything in there to start – that’s the beauty of a dump-and-go crockpot meal! So, pop your cubed sirloin steak and those quartered baby red potatoes right into the slow cooker insert. No need to be fancy about it; just get them in there. It’s the easiest way to start building those layers of flavor!
Creating the Flavorful Seasoning Mixture
Now, in a separate little bowl, whisk together that packet of dry ranch seasoning – it’s like a flavor secret weapon! Add your melted butter and milk to that bowl, and give it a good whisk until it’s all smooth and combined. This creamy, savory mixture is going to coat everything and make sure every bite of your steak and potatoes is just bursting with flavor. It’s super simple, but so important!
Slow Cooking Your Hearty Dinner
Once your seasoning mixture is ready, pour it all evenly over the steak and potatoes in the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir if you want, just to make sure everything is coated. Then, pop that lid on tight! You’ll want to cook this on LOW for about 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re a bit shorter on time, you can switch it to HIGH for around 3 to 4 hours. Just let that slow cooker work its magic and transform those simple ingredients into something incredible.
Adding the Cheesy Finish
Okay, here comes the best part, the part that makes it a true loaded potato bake! Once the steak and potatoes are tender and cooked through, it’s time to add that cheesy, bacony goodness. Gently stir in your shredded cheddar cheese and the glorious crumbled bacon. Put the lid back on and let it cook for just another 15 to 20 minutes, or until that cheese is all melted and bubbly. The smell alone is going to be amazing!
Tips for a Perfect Crockpot Casserole
Making the perfect crockpot steak and potato bake is all about a few little secrets, and I’m happy to share them! First off, don’t be afraid to play around with your steak. While sirloin is fantastic, chuck roast or even a leaner cut like eye of round can work. Just remember, tougher cuts might need that longer cooking time on low to get super tender. Also, for an extra punch of flavor in this already amazing cheesy casserole, try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or even a pinch of garlic powder to that ranch seasoning mixture. It takes a simple slow cooker dinner to the next level! Using this recipe for a busy night is a game changer, which is why I love featuring it in my weeknight dinner roundups!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Loaded Potato Bake
So, you want to tweak this amazing crockpot steak and potato bake a little? I totally get it, that’s part of the fun of cooking! If you can’t find sirloin, don’t sweat it. A nice chuck roast cut into cubes works beautifully and will get super tender in the slow cooker. Just make sure to trim off any excess fat before cubing. For the potatoes, those baby red potatoes give a great creamy texture without needing to be peeled, but Yukon Golds or even Russets cut into 1-inch chunks will also do the trick. You might just want to peel the Russets if you’re not a fan of the skin.
That dry ranch seasoning mix is pretty key for the flavor profile, but if you’re feeling adventurous or just don’t have it, you can try mixing your own with dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Just experiment with the ratios until it tastes right to you! And for the cheese, cheddar is classic, but feel free to swap in Monterey Jack, a Colby-Jack blend, or even some sharp provolone for a different spin on your loaded potato bake.
Serving Suggestions for this Family Dinner
This hearty crockpot steak and potato bake is honestly a meal in itself, but if you’re looking to round it out, keep it simple! A nice, crisp green salad is just perfect for cutting through all that cheesy goodness. You could also serve it with some steamed broccoli or maybe some crusty bread for soaking up any extra deliciousness left at the bottom of the bowl. For more easy side dish ideas, check out my soups and salads section!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers of this amazing crockpot steak and potato bake? Lucky you! Once it’s cooled down a bit, just pop any extra into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It should keep well for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, the microwave is usually the quickest way – just give it a zap until it’s heated through. For an even better texture, though, you can gently reheat it in a pan on the stove over low heat, giving it a stir now and then, or pop it into a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) until it’s warm and bubbly again. That way, you’ll barely notice it’s a leftover!
Frequently Asked Questions about Crockpot Steak and Potato Bake
Got questions about making this delicious crockpot steak and potato bake? I’ve got you covered! It’s such a forgiving recipe, but it’s always good to know a few things. Let’s dive into some common queries that come up when making this hearty crockpot casserole.
Can I use different types of potatoes in this loaded potato bake?
Absolutely! While I love baby red potatoes for their creamy texture and the fact you don’t have to peel them, other potato varieties work great too. Yukon Golds are a fantastic substitute and offer a similar creamy texture. If you’re using larger Russet potatoes, just make sure to cut them into uniform 1-inch chunks and peel them if you prefer. Just remember to keep those chunks consistent so they cook evenly alongside that tender steak!
How do I prevent the steak from getting tough in my crockpot dinner?
The key to tender steak in a slow cooker is really about the cut of meat and how long it cooks. Sirloin steak is great because it’s relatively tender already. If you find your steak is sometimes a bit chewy, try a different cut like chuck roast, which breaks down beautifully and becomes super tender with slow cooking. Also, make sure you’re not overcooking it; the 6-8 hours on low is usually perfect. Resist the urge to peek too often, as that releases heat!
Can this bacon potato casserole be made ahead?
You can definitely prep components ahead of time! You could cube the steak and chop the potatoes the night before and store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge. For the bacon, cook it and crumble it ahead of time too! Then, in the morning, it really is just a quick dump-and-go situation. Overall, for the best texture and flavor, it’s best cooked fresh, but having the prep done beforehand makes getting dinner on the table in the crockpot so much easier. If you’re looking for more meal planning tips, feel free to check out my meal planning resources!
What if I don’t have ranch seasoning?
No problem at all! You can totally make your own zesty seasoning blend. Mix together about 2 tablespoons of dried parsley, 1 tablespoon of dried dill, 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder, and about half a teaspoon each of salt and black pepper. Feel free to adjust the herbs and spices to your liking! It might not be exactly the same, but it will still give your crockpot steak and potato bake a ton of flavor. If you ever have recipe questions, don’t hesitate to reach out through my contact page!
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Just a quick heads-up, these numbers are just an estimate to help with your meal planning! Since we all use different brands and maybe swap in a slightly different ingredient now and then, the exact breakdown can vary. But generally, one serving of this delicious crockpot steak and potato bake packs about 650 calories, 35g of fat, 35g of protein, and 45g of carbs. It’s a hearty meal, for sure!
PrintCrockpot Steak and Potato Bake
A hearty and cheesy slow cooker casserole with steak, potatoes, and bacon, reminiscent of a loaded baked potato. This dump-and-go recipe is perfect for a comforting family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 lb baby red potatoes, quartered
- 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
Instructions
- Place steak and potatoes in a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ranch seasoning, melted butter, and milk.
- Pour the seasoning mixture over the steak and potatoes.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Stir in cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
- Cover and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the seasoning mixture.
- Ensure your slow cooker is at least half full for even cooking.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
