Crockpot Cheesy Taco Potatoes

This is one of those recipes I started making because I needed something that would just… sit there and cook itself while I handled the rest of the day.

I don’t remember the exact night, but I remember the feeling. Too many things going on, not enough energy, and dinner needed to be filling because everyone was already hovering in the kitchen asking when it would be ready. I had ground beef thawed, a bag of frozen potatoes, and taco seasoning because that’s basically a pantry staple at this point.

So I threw things together, crossed my fingers, and hoped the crockpot would do its thing.

It did. Better than expected.

This ended up being one of those meals that people scoop seconds of without really commenting until later, when someone says, “We should have this again.” That’s usually how I know a recipe’s a keeper. Not dramatic praise. Just quiet approval and empty plates.

Crockpot cheesy taco potatoes are now solidly in that category for me. Easy, comforting, and surprisingly satisfying for how simple it is.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

First, it’s a slow cooker recipe that actually makes sense in a slow cooker. Nothing delicate. Nothing that needs perfect timing. You can walk away from it and not worry.

Second, it’s hearty. Potatoes and ground beef together already feel substantial, and once you add cheese and seasoning, it becomes one of those meals that sticks with you. You don’t finish dinner wondering what else there is to eat.

I also like that it uses frozen diced potatoes. No peeling. No chopping. No debating whether your knife skills are good enough today. Just open the bag and dump.

The flavors are familiar but comforting. Taco seasoning, creamy soup, melty cheese. Nothing fancy. Nothing surprising. Just solid, cozy food that feels right on a busy day.

And it feeds a crowd without much effort, which I never take for granted.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this recipe, I start with 1.5 lbs ground beef. I usually use whatever I have on hand, but I don’t go super lean. A little fat adds flavor, and you drain the excess anyway.

You’ll need 2 packets taco seasoning, divided. One goes into the beef, one gets sprinkled over the potatoes. It might seem like a lot, but potatoes need seasoning, and this balances out once everything cooks together.

There’s 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup, straight from the can. I don’t dilute it. It loosens up on its own as it cooks and mixes with everything else.

For the potatoes, I use 2 lbs frozen diced potatoes. The kind meant for hash browns works perfectly. Keep them frozen when you add them.

Cheese matters here. I use 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided. Freshly shredded melts better, but I’ve used bagged cheese plenty of times when that’s what I had.

You’ll also need 10 oz Rotel, drained. I usually go with the original, but mild works if you’re feeding people who don’t like heat.

A small onion, diced, goes into the beef for flavor. And 3 garlic cloves, minced, because it just wouldn’t feel right without garlic.

That’s it. Nothing complicated. Nothing hard to find.

How to Make This Recipe

I start by spraying the inside of the crockpot with nonstick spray. This isn’t optional for me. Cheese and potatoes love to stick, and future me appreciates the easier cleanup.

Then I grab a skillet and brown the ground beef over medium heat. I add the diced onion and minced garlic right away so everything cooks together. I stir it around, break up the beef, and let it cook until it’s no longer pink and the onions are soft.

Once it’s done, I drain off the excess grease. I don’t obsess over getting every drop, but I don’t leave it swimming either. Then I stir in one packet of taco seasoning while the beef is still warm. It coats everything nicely and smells really good at this point.

That beef mixture goes straight into the crockpot.

Next, I add the frozen diced potatoes right on top. No thawing. No rinsing. Just dump them in.

I sprinkle the second packet of taco seasoning evenly over the potatoes. This step matters more than it looks like. Potatoes need seasoning, and this helps flavor the whole dish.

Then I add the drained Rotel and spoon in the cream of chicken soup. I don’t spread it perfectly. It all gets mixed together soon anyway.

Half of the shredded cheddar goes in next. I scatter it across the top, then give everything a good stir. I take a minute here to make sure the soup and seasoning are worked through and nothing’s clumped in one corner.

Once it looks evenly mixed, I put the lid on and set the crockpot to LOW for three hours.

During that time, I mostly ignore it. Sometimes I lift the lid once just to stir, but honestly, it’s usually fine if you don’t.

After three hours, I give it a good stir. Everything should be tender and creamy at this point. Then I add the remaining shredded cheddar, stir again, cover it back up, and let it cook for about ten more minutes. Just long enough for the cheese to melt into everything.

When it’s ready, it’s thick, cheesy, and smells like dinner should.

Print

Helpful Tips

Draining the beef really helps keep this from getting greasy. It’s worth the extra minute.

If your crockpot runs hot, check it around the two-and-a-half-hour mark. You want the potatoes tender, not mushy.

Freshly shredded cheese melts smoother, but if you’re using pre-shredded, it’ll still work. It just might be a little thicker.

If the mixture looks too thick at the end, a small splash of milk can loosen it up. I don’t usually need it, but it’s good to know.

This is one of those dishes that thickens as it sits, so don’t worry if it looks a little loose at first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

This is comfort food in its most practical form.

It doesn’t try to be pretty. It doesn’t require extra steps. It just sits in the crockpot and turns simple ingredients into something warm and satisfying.

Crockpot cheesy taco potatoes are the kind of recipe I reach for when I want dinner handled without thinking too hard about it. When I want something that fills everyone up and doesn’t leave me exhausted by the end.

Sometimes that’s exactly what you need. And honestly, this delivers every time.