I start nearly every slow cooker recipe off by talking about how smitten I am with slow cookers, and I really want to start this one the same way. I guess when you’re in love, you want everyone to know. Repeatedly. And often. But I’ll attempt to hold myself back a bit and just talk about these Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes.
Okay, but. Here’s the thing. Slow cookers, in all their gloriousness, have totally transformed how I make mashed potatoes. With the Crock Pot, they are so much easier to make! I LOVE SLOW COOKERS!
I think it’s out of my system now. But seriously – I never knew mashed potatoes could be so easy. I mean, they weren’t that tough before, but I hated all that peeling and the inevitable boiling-over that would happen on the stove.
With the Crock Pot, you cut up potatoes, add a little liquid and butter, and then let them cook. A little time with the masher along with some milk or cream and you’re good to go. I love how this method makes mashed potatoes practically effortless for big holiday dinners – one less thing to have to worry about come crunch time.
I posted this recipe for Unbelievably Easy Crock Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes last year, and since then, I’ve been playing around with different potatoes and flavors. For this version, I decided to go whole hog. Without the hog. Unless you want the hog in which case you can add bacon to your serving – otherwise, they’re vegetarian.
Oh, Crock Pot. I’ll never stop loving you. (((Hug))).
Ouch. Hot.
Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes (with Optional Bacon)
Ingredients
For the optional bacon topping:
Instructions