This Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash combines ground beef, potatoes, and creamy mushroom soup for a hearty meal that's as easy to make as it is delicious. Just toss the ingredients into your slow cooker, let it work its magic, and get ready to dig into a cheesy hash made with ground beef that will quickly become a family favorite!
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Hash is a dish consisting mainly of diced meat and potatoes, sautéed until crispy. It's easily adaptable to different ingredients and flavors, making it a meal that's simple, easy, and enjoyed a lot for dinner. This hash recipe brings together the rich flavors of ground beef, earthy mushroom soup, and the comforting texture of potatoes, all rounded off with melty cheddar cheese for a simple, hearty meal. And it's made with no skillet! The slow cooker does all the work to make sure this dish comes together in flavor, texture, and taste!
The slow cooker is the best way to cook up a hearty hamburger hash. Using this method, the ground beef turns out tender, the potatoes cook just right, and the cheese melts into the mix perfectly. Just brown your beef, toss it into the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients, and let it simmer. In a few hours, you’ll have a warm, cheesy, and satisfying meal.
Crockpot hamburger hash is perfect for busy weeknights, lazy Sunday dinners, or for office potlucks. It pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad, steamed veggies, or warm bread rolls to soak up all the creamy goodness. This hearty dish is also great for meal prep throughout the week!
🥔Why This Makes The Best Quick and Easy Dinner
- Budget-Friendly: Uses less than ten budget-friendly, simple ingredients for a creamy and satisfying meal.
- Minimal Cleanup: One slow cooker means less washing up and more downtime.
- Hearty and Filling: Packed with ground beef and potatoes for a truly substantial dinner.
- Reheats Beautifully: Just as tasty the next day, making it perfect for leftovers.
🥘Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground Beef - Forms the hearty base of the hash, bringing a rich, savory, and beefy flavor.
- Onion and Garlic - Adds a depth of flavor, giving the hash an oniony aroma and a slight sweetness with a punch of savory notes.
- Yukon Gold Potatoes - Contribute a buttery texture and hold their shape well, absorbing the flavors of the dish.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup - Acts as a thick, creamy binder that mixes the ingredients in a velvety sauce.
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, Italian seasoning) - These spices work together to elevate the dish, providing a warm, herby undertone and the perfect balance of flavors.
- Cheddar Cheese - Offers a gooey, melty element that brings a sharp tang and comforting finish to each spoonful.
🔪How To Make Hamburger Hash In The Slow Cooker
Cook the ground beef: Add the beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute, breaking up the meat until fully cooked. Drain off excess fat, then add to a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add remaining ingredients: To the cooked ground beef, add the onions, potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and one cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until evenly distributed.
Cover and cook: Add the lid to the top and cook on HIGH for 3½-4½ hours or LOW for 6-7 hours.
Add remaining cheddar: Sprinkle the reserved cheddar cheese over top of the dish. Add the lid and cover until the cheese is melted for 10 minutes. Scoop into bowls and serve while hot. Enjoy!
💭Recipe Tips
- Brown the ground beef thoroughly before adding it to the slow cooker to ensure a deep, caramelized flavor.
- Drain the fat from the beef to keep the dish from becoming greasy and to maintain a rich, clean taste.
- Dice the onions and potatoes uniformly for even cooking and a consistent texture in every bite.
- If you have time, rinse the potatoes after dicing to remove excess starch, which can make the sauce too thick.
- Stir the ingredients halfway through, if possible, to distribute flavors and heat evenly.
- Add the cheddar cheese in two parts: half mixed in for flavor and half melted on top for that perfect cheesy pull.
- If the hash is too thick after cooking, a splash of milk or beef broth can adjust the consistency.
- Let the hash rest for a few minutes after cooking before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
📖Variations
- Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version that still packs a lot of protein.
- Incorporate sweet potatoes instead of Yukon Gold for a hint of sweetness and a boost of vitamins.
- For a vegetarian hash, use a plant-based ground meat substitute and cream of mushroom soup made with vegetable broth.
- Stir in some green peas or chopped carrots for added color and a serving of veggies.
- Mix in some smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne pepper for a smoky kick and a touch of heat.
- For a tangy twist, sprinkle in some sharp blue cheese with the cheddar for an extra flavor dimension.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions before serving for a pop of color and fresh garden taste.
🌡️Storing & Freezing
Storing: To store, allow it to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to airtight containers. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. When you're ready to reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or on the stove, adding a touch of milk or broth if the hash has thickened too much in the fridge.
Freezing: Place the cooled hash in freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving a small space at the top for expansion. Freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, adding milk or broth to loosen up the creamy sauce as needed.
💬FAQ
Can I make this recipe with uncooked beef directly in the slow cooker?
No. Adding uncooked beef directly can result in a less flavorful hash and may cause the meat to clump together rather than crumble. The dish will also become overly greasy.
How can I prevent the potatoes from becoming mushy?
To keep the potatoes firm, cut them into larger chunks and place them on top of the beef and onions so they steam rather than boil. This technique allows them to cook through without breaking down too much.
What can I do if my hash is too runny after cooking?
If the hash is too liquid, you can open the slow cooker lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some of the moisture to evaporate. You can also stir in a little cornstarch slurry, which can help thicken the sauce quickly.
🥩More Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipes
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Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1½ cups yellow onion (diced)
- 3 tsp garlic (minced)
- 1 petite Yukon gold potatoes
- 2 (10.5 oz) cans of cream of mushroom soup (do not add water)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded and divided)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the hamburger until it is fully cooked. Drain off excess fat and add to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add onions, potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Cover and cook on high for 3½-4½ hours or low for 6-7 hours.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and cover until the cheese has melted—about 10 minutes.
- Serve while hot, and enjoy!
Notes
- Dice the onions and potatoes uniformly for even cooking and a consistent texture in every bite.
- If the hash is too thick after cooking, a splash of milk or beef broth can adjust the consistency.
- Let the hash rest for a few minutes after cooking before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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