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Easy Kid-Approved Crockpot Mashed Potato Casserole

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This creamy, buttery crockpot mashed potato casserole with cream cheese is the ultimate comfort food. It’s incredibly easy to make—just dump everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, and holiday dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup whole milk, warmed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional topping)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted (optional topping)
  • Fresh chives or parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel all 5 pounds of potatoes and cut them into uniform 1-inch chunks.
  2. Take a tablespoon of butter (from your measured amount) and rub it all over the inside of your slow cooker insert to prevent sticking.
  3. Place the potato chunks in the buttered crockpot. Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper evenly over the top. Give everything a quick toss with your hands or a spatula to distribute the seasonings.
  4. Scatter the cubed cream cheese and remaining butter over the potatoes. Nestle some of the cream cheese cubes down into the potatoes so they melt from the inside out.
  5. Warm your milk in the microwave for about 45 seconds (you want it warm to the touch, not hot). Pour it evenly over everything in the crockpot.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. The potatoes are ready when they’re fork-tender and the liquid is bubbly around the edges.
  7. Once the potatoes are tender, turn off the slow cooker (or switch to warm). Using your potato masher, mash the potatoes right in the crockpot until they reach your desired consistency. If they seem too thick, stir in a splash of warm milk. If they’re too thin, let them sit uncovered for 10-15 minutes to thicken up.
  8. If using the cheese topping, sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the mashed potatoes, drizzle with the melted butter, and cover for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh chives or parsley before serving.

Notes

Don’t over-mash the potatoes; stop while there are still a few small lumps. Warm your dairy (milk and cream cheese) to room temperature before adding to prevent lumps. Season in layers: season before cooking, taste after mashing, and adjust again before serving. For best results, use Yukon Gold potatoes. The potatoes hold well on the warm setting for up to 2 hours after cooking; stir in an extra 1/4 cup of warm milk if holding longer.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot mashed potatoes, slow cooker mashed potatoes, cream cheese mashed potatoes, easy mashed potato casserole, kid-friendly mashed potatoes, holiday side dish, comfort food

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/easy-kid-approved-crockpot-mashed-potato-casserole/