Crockpot Loaded Beef and Potato Bake

Here’s a hearty, crowd-pleasing Crockpot Loaded Beef and Potato Bake by Chef Sandy—layered, slow-cooked comfort food finished with gooey cheddar. This recipe follows best practices for slow-cooker meals—layering ingredients for even cooking, using low-and-slow heat for tender beef, and adding cheese near the end for perfect melt—all backed by expert tips and nutritional data.

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef steak (ribeye or sirloin), cut into 1″ pieces
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced into 1″ cubes
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Chef Sandy’s Tip: Spray the crockpot with nonstick spray or line with a slow-cooker liner for easy cleanup citeturn0search0.

Directions

1. Layer the Base

Place the diced potatoes in the bottom of the crockpot—potatoes cook more slowly and need direct heat citeturn0search4.
Top with the beef pieces in an even layer—keeping meat off the very bottom helps prevent toughness and promotes even braising citeturn0search5.
Season the layers with salt and pepper.

2. Slow-Cook Low & Slow

Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours, or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and potatoes are cooked through citeturn0search1turn0search6.

Why Low & Slow? Cooking at a lower temperature for longer breaks down connective tissue in steak without drying it out citeturn0search6.

3. Finish with Cheese

About 1 hour before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let the cheese melt into a creamy blanket without burning citeturn0search7.

4. Serve

Scoop generous portions onto plates or bowls. For extra richness, top with a pat of butter or a drizzle of pan juices.

Chef Sandy’s Pro Tips

• Don’t Lift the Lid: Every time you lift it, you lose heat and extend cooking time—aim to keep it closed until you add cheese citeturn0news50.
• Layering Strategy: Always put the slowest-cooking items (potatoes) at the bottom and delicate toppings (cheese) on top citeturn0search14.
• Sear for Flavor (Optional): Quickly sear beef pieces in a hot skillet for 1–2 minutes per side before layering to deepen the flavor citeturn0news50.
• Add-Ins: Stir in sautéed onions, garlic, or herbs at the halfway point for extra aroma and taste citeturn0search15.

Nutrition (per serving, serves 4)

• Calories: ~500 kcal citeturn0search3
• Protein: 28 g
• Carbs: 22 g
• Fat: 30 g

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