Crockpot Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes
These crockpot ranch potatoes are a simple, flavorful side made with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and plenty of melty cheese! Everything cooks together in the slow cooker, making it an easy, hands-off dish that’s perfect for family dinners or feeding a crowd.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy and hands-off: Just add everything to the crockpot and let it do the work
- Perfect for family dinners: Kids and adults both love these!
- Great for feeding a crowd: Makes plenty and stays warm in the slow cooker
- Loaded with flavor: Bacon, ranch, butter, and cheese. Hard to go wrong with the combo!
- Goes with everything: Pairs easily with chicken, beef, pork, or burgers
- Comfort food favorite: Warm, cheesy, and always a hit at the table
- Perfect for entertaining: Ideal for potlucks, holidays, and casual get-togethers
Ingredients
Note: You’ll find the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!
- Baby red potatoes: Hold their shape well in the slow cooker and get perfectly tender without falling apart. Halving them helps them cook evenly.
- Onion & garlic: Add a savory base that builds flavor as everything cooks.
- Bacon: Brings a smoky, salty bite that pairs perfectly with the creamy ranch flavor.
- Ranch seasoning mix: Adds tons of flavor with almost no effort.
- Colby Jack cheese: Melts smoothly and adds that creamy, cheesy finish. You can use cheddar or a blend if that’s what you have.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps coat the potatoes as they cook.
- Salt & pepper: Season to taste, especially since the ranch mix already adds some salt.
- Green onions or chives: A fresh, slightly sharp topping that balances out the richness right at the end.
How To Make Crockpot Ranch Potatoes
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer to a plate, then chop into smaller pieces.
- Lightly grease the inside of your crockpot, then add the potatoes, onion, garlic, and chopped bacon.
- Sprinkle over the ranch seasoning, add 1 cup of the cheese, and top with the butter, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Give everything a good stir, then sprinkle over the remaining ½ cup of cheese. Cover again for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Finish with green onions before serving.
Recipe Notes & Variations
- You can use just about any type of potato here, like gold, red, russet, or baby potatoes. Just cut them into roughly 2-inch pieces so they cook evenly.
- Feel free to switch up the cheese. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, or a fiesta blend all melt well and add great flavor.
- If you want to change things up, swap the bacon for sliced smoked sausage or even cooked ground beef.
- Want to make it a little more filling? Add in veggies like green beans, bell peppers, or zucchini. They cook right along with everything else.
- Try to keep the potato pieces similar in size so they cook at the same rate and turn out perfectly tender.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
To reheat, warm the potatoes on the stovetop over medium heat for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Serving Notes & Ideas
These potatoes are perfect for easy family dinners, and they go with just about anything. Serve them alongside chicken, steak, pork chops, or even burgers for a simple, hearty meal.
They’re also great for parties and entertaining. You can keep them warm right in the crockpot and let everyone help themselves, which makes them perfect for holidays, potlucks, or casual get-togethers.
Add a sprinkle of extra cheese or green onions right before serving, and they’re always a hit!
Crockpot Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 lb baby red potatoes halved
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 8-10 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- 1 oz envelope ranch seasoning mix
- 1 ½ cups shredded colby jack cheese divided
- ¾ stick butter 6 tablespoons
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions or chives for topping
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer to a plate, then chop into smaller pieces.
- Lightly grease the inside of your crockpot, then add the potatoes, onion, garlic, and chopped bacon.
- Sprinkle over the ranch seasoning, add 1 cup of the cheese, and top with the butter, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Give everything a good stir, then sprinkle over the remaining ½ cup of cheese. Cover again for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Finish with green onions before serving.
If you need a side that’s an easy crowd pleaser, this one is definitely it! Using your crockpot takes away much of the stress and it means they can be prepped in advance so they’re ready and waiting once you’re ready to serve up dinner. As always, let me know what you think if you try these!
