Slow Cooker Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes

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Ever wish you could toss a bunch of ingredients into your slow cooker, walk away, and come back to a cheesy, bacon-loaded potato side that tastes like you fussed all day? Welcome to the wonderland of “slow cooker cheesy bacon ranch potatoes crock pot” style. These potatoes come out fork-tender and packed with ranch flavor, smoky bacon, and gooey cheddar—basically, the dream team of comfort food. Set it, forget it, and get ready to fight your family for the last spoonful.

Pinterest graphic showing cheesy bacon ranch potatoes in the slow cooker, topped with shredded cheddar and green onions, with bold text for an easy crock pot recipe.

Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes

Effortless: Layer, set the timer, and let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting.
Family-Favorite Flavors: Smoky bacon, zesty ranch, and melty cheese in every bite.
Perfect Texture: Potatoes come out tender but never mushy, with cheesy bits in every scoop.
Feeds a Crowd: Great for potlucks, holidays, BBQs, or “potato night.”
Easy Cleanup: Thanks to foil lining, you won’t dread doing the dishes.

This is the kind of recipe that gets rave reviews, with folks sneaking second helpings straight from the Crock Pot. Even picky eaters and bacon snobs will be back for more.

Ingredients You’ll Need (and Simple Swaps)

Potatoes: Baby red or yellow potatoes are ideal. If you have larger potatoes, just cube them up.
Bacon: Thick-cut or your favorite variety. The more, the merrier!
Onion: Sliced thin for extra flavor.
Green Onions: For a fresh, peppery bite and a pop of color.
Cheddar Cheese: Shredded, because more cheese is always the answer.
Dry Ranch Seasoning: A classic packet keeps it simple.
Butter: Melted, for a buttery finish and golden edges.
Foil: For lining the slow cooker—trust me, don’t skip it!

For precise amounts, check the recipe card at the end of the post.

Easy swaps:

Turkey bacon or even ham if you want to lighten it up.
Any melting cheese, like Monterey Jack or Colby, works if you’re low on cheddar.
Add a little garlic powder or smoked paprika for a twist.

Slow Cooker Secrets: How to Get the Best Potatoes

Line Your Slow Cooker with Foil: Not only does this help with even cooking, but it makes cleanup a total breeze.
Layer for Flavor: Alternate your ingredients so every scoop has bacon, cheese, and ranch goodness.
Spray the Foil: Cheese is sticky—give the foil a spritz of nonstick spray so nothing gets left behind.
Steam It Shut: Fold the extra foil over the top before putting the lid on. This helps the potatoes steam perfectly.

How to Make Slow Cooker Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes (Crock Pot)

These slow cooker cheesy bacon ranch potatoes come together with simple layers of potatoes, smoky bacon, ranch seasoning, and gooey cheese—all cooked to tender, flavorful perfection right in your Crock Pot. Minimal prep, maximum comfort!

What You’ll Need:

Slow cooker (Crock Pot)
Aluminum foil
Nonstick spray
Sharp knife for slicing
Big spoon for serving (trust me, you’ll want generous scoops)

Step-by-Step:

Cook the Bacon:
Start by cooking your bacon until just done (not too crispy—it’ll cook more in the slow cooker). You can bake it on a foil-lined sheet at 350°F for 16 minutes while prepping the rest.
Line & Spray:
Line your slow cooker with foil, leaving extra to fold over the top later. Spray the inside with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
Layer the Ingredients:
Place half the halved potatoes in the bottom, followed by half the cooked bacon, half the sliced onions, half the green onions, half the ranch seasoning, and half the shredded cheese. Repeat the layers and finish with a little extra cheese on top. Drizzle melted butter over everything.

Sliced baby potatoes and crispy bacon pieces in foil, prepped for slow cooker cheesy bacon ranch potatoes, a simple comfort food recipe.

Potatoes, onions, and bacon layered in foil inside a crock pot, ready to become creamy cheesy ranch potatoes for an easy slow cooker dinner.

Cover & Cook:
Fold the extra foil over the top, cover with the lid, and cook on low for 4–6 hours. When the potatoes are fork-tender, sprinkle with the reserved cheese and let it melt.

Foil-wrapped potatoes inside a slow cooker, showing the easy prep step for cheesy bacon ranch potatoes made in the crock pot.

Close up of slow cooker cheesy bacon ranch potatoes topped with shredded cheddar, bacon, and green onions, perfect for a cozy crockpot side dish.

Garnish & Serve:
Sprinkle with fresh green onions and serve hot—right out of the slow cooker!

Golden potatoes mixed with melted cheddar, bacon, and green onions in a bowl, showing the rich texture of this crock pot side dish.

Pro Tips & Serving Suggestions

Cut Evenly: Slice potatoes and onions the same size so they cook evenly.
Add Extra Cheese: Save a little cheese for the end so you get that gooey, melty finish.
For a Crispier Top: If you like your cheese bubbly, you can transfer the cooked potatoes to a broiler-safe dish and broil for a couple minutes. (But honestly, straight from the slow cooker is magic.)
Pair With: Grilled chicken, steak bites, pulled pork, burgers, or serve at brunch with eggs.

A bowl of slow cooker cheesy bacon ranch potatoes topped with crispy bacon and fresh green onions, a family favorite comfort food side.

Storage & Leftovers

Fridge: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. They reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven.
Freezer: Yes, you can freeze them! Cool completely, pack in freezer containers, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

The Cozy Story: Why This Is a Must-Make Potato Recipe

My first time making potatoes in a slow cooker, I expected “pretty good.” What I got? Potatoes so tender, so packed with flavor, my family practically licked the bowl clean. There’s something about that combo of bacon, ranch, and gooey cheese that just hits different when it’s been slow-cooking all day. The aroma alone is enough to make the whole house hungry!

FAQ

Can I prep these potatoes the night before?

Yes! Layer everything in the slow cooker, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let the slow cooker insert come to room temp for 30 minutes before turning it on.

What kind of potatoes work best?

Small red or yellow potatoes are perfect, but you can use russets or Yukon Golds—just cut into bite-sized pieces.

Can I add other veggies?

Absolutely! Bell peppers, mushrooms, or jalapeños are delicious. Just keep the layers even for best results.

How do I keep the cheese from sticking?

Line and spray the foil well, and don’t be shy with the nonstick spray—especially on the sides where the cheese likes to cling.