Delicious Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Potatoes

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There’s something comforting about a meal that practically cooks itself. That’s why I keep coming back to this slow cooker kielbasa and potatoes recipe, especially on busy weekdays when I’m running between school pickups and errands. I’ll toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning, and by dinner time, the whole house smells amazing.

What I really love about this dish is how simple it is. No fancy ingredients or complicated steps – just good, hearty food that reminds me of the meals my mom used to make when I was growing up. The potatoes soak up all those savory flavors from the kielbasa, and everything gets so tender it practically melts in your mouth.

If you’re looking for a no-fuss dinner that’ll make everyone happy, this is it. I usually serve it with some crusty bread on the side to mop up all those tasty juices, and there’s rarely a bite left over.

What Kind of Kielbasa Should I Use?

You’ll find a few different types of kielbasa at your local grocery store, and any of them will work well in this recipe. Traditional Polish kielbasa (also called polska kielbasa) comes smoked or fresh – the smoked variety is more common and adds a deeper flavor to slow cooker dishes. You can choose between pork, beef, or a combination of both, though pork kielbasa tends to be the most popular and traditional choice. If you’re watching calories, turkey kielbasa makes a good substitute, though it might not be quite as juicy as its pork counterpart. Just make sure to slice your kielbasa into even-sized pieces so they cook uniformly in your slow cooker.

Options for Substitutions

This easy slow cooker recipe is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can swap out if needed:

• Frozen diced potatoes: Fresh potatoes work great too – just peel and dice about 6-7 medium potatoes. You can also use frozen hash browns or even sweet potatoes for a different spin.
• Kielbasa: While kielbasa gives this dish its classic flavor, you can use other smoked sausages like andouille, turkey kielbasa, or even sliced hot dogs in a pinch.
• Cheese blend: Don’t have both cheeses? Use 2 cups of any good melting cheese like cheddar, colby, or a Mexican cheese blend. Just avoid soft cheeses like mozzarella as your only cheese choice.
• Cream of chicken soup: Cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup work just as well. For a homemade option, mix 1 cup of chicken broth with 1 cup of heavy cream and 2 tablespoons of flour.
• Whole milk: You can use 2% milk, but avoid skim milk as it’s too thin. Half-and-half or heavy cream work too – just expect a richer result.
• Dried chives: Fresh chives are great (use 3 tablespoons), or try dried parsley, dried green onions, or even a tablespoon of ranch seasoning mix.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making slow cooker kielbasa and potatoes is lifting the lid too frequently during cooking, as each peek can add 15-20 minutes to your cooking time and release essential moisture. Another common error is not browning the kielbasa before adding it to the slow cooker – taking just 5 minutes to sear the sausage creates deeper flavors and better texture in the final dish. When it comes to the potatoes, using fresh instead of frozen can lead to mushy results, as frozen potatoes are partially cooked and hold their shape better during the long cooking process. For the creamiest sauce, avoid using pre-shredded cheese which contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy – instead, buy blocks of cheese and shred them yourself just before adding to the pot. Finally, remember to stir the ingredients gently when checking for doneness, as aggressive stirring can break down the potatoes and make the dish too mushy.

What to Serve With Kielbasa and Potatoes?

This hearty slow cooker meal calls for some simple sides to balance out all that delicious comfort food! A crisp green vegetable like roasted Brussels sprouts or steamed broccoli adds nice color and freshness to the plate. Since this dish is rich and creamy, I like to serve it with a tangy side like sauerkraut or a simple vinegar-based coleslaw to cut through those heavier flavors. You could also add a basic green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette, or some honey-glazed carrots for a touch of sweetness that pairs really well with the smoky kielbasa.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This hearty kielbasa and potato dish will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days when kept in an airtight container. The flavors actually get even better after a day or two as everything mingles together!

Freeze: If you want to save some for later, this meal freezes really well. Just pop it in a freezer-safe container and it’ll keep for up to 3 months. I like to divide it into smaller portions before freezing – it makes reheating so much easier.

Reheat: To warm it up, just microwave it in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until it’s heated through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk if it seems a bit dry. The cheese might look separated at first, but give it a good stir and it’ll come back together nicely.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	180-360 minutes
Total Time	195-380 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2400
• Protein: 90-100 g
• Fat: 130-150 g
• Carbohydrates: 180-200 g

Ingredients

• 2 pounds frozen diced potatoes
• 2 rings kielbasa sausage (14 ounces each, sliced and halved)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (approx. 113g)
• 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese (approx. 113g)
• 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup (10.5 ounces)
• 1 cup full-fat milk
• 1 tablespoon dried chives
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Chopped fresh parsley, for optional garnish

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Begin by spraying the bowl of a 6-8 quart slow cooker with nonstick spray.

Alternatively, you can line the bowl with a liner for easy cleanup.

This will prevent the ingredients from sticking during cooking.

Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker

To the prepared slow cooker, add your diced potatoes and sliced kielbasa.

Then, include both kinds of cheese, cream of chicken soup, milk, chopped chives, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Stir all ingredients together until they are well combined.

Step 3: Cook the Dish

Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 5-6 hours for a gradual cooking process that melds flavors together, or on high for 3-4 hours if you prefer a quicker cook time.

This cooking method ensures the potatoes are tender and flavors are well developed.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Once the cooking time has completed, give the dish a good stir to make sure everything is evenly distributed.

Serve the dish hot, garnished with fresh parsley for an added touch of flavor and color.

Enjoy your hearty and flavorful slow-cooked meal!