Delicious and filling, slow cooker cheesy kielbasa hashbrown casserole is simple to make with a slow cooker. The recipe includes shredded hash browns, diced kielbasa sausage, onions, bell peppers, and a creamy cheese sauce.
This is the ultimate in comfort, therefore put it in your section on comfort foods! You can serve it whenever and however you choose, whether for dinner or brunch. It is delicious morning or night, and I have prepared it for both. The slow cooker is so easy to set up and start, making it ideal for hectic days or when you don’t want to heat up the entire house.
When I replace sour cream for milk, my family loves it (I have had to do this many times). The flavor of the sausage is amazing with the sour cream!
It is also a fantastic dish to bring to potlucks or any gathering. The general public will adore it! Every month, we have a potluck brunch with a bunch of our friends. Every time I make this recipe, I get requests for it, and there are never any leftovers.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
1 32 oz. bag of hash browns – cubed or shredded and defrosted
14 – 16 oz. kielbasa sausage – thawed if frozen and cut into small pieces
1 small onion, diced
⅓ cup butter – melted
2½ – 3 cups shredded cheese (I used a mix of Monterey Jack and Cheddar)
10.5 oz. can cream of chicken
1 cup half and half or whole milk – preferably one of these for best consistency
Directions
Combine hash browns, kielbasa, onion, and 2 cups of the cheese in a greased crock pot.
In a separate bowl, combine cream of chicken, butter, and milk. Pour over hash brown mix.
Sprinkle remaining cheese over top.
Cook on high for 3 hours.
Notes
• Storing: Cool completely and place in airtight container. Keep in fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: Once cooled, either divide into individual servings in freezer containers or transfer it to an airtight container. Store up to 2 months.
• Reheating: Place the casserole in a baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 350° F until hot. You can also place it back in the slow cooker in the morning and let it cook on low until heated through – it will be ready later in the day.
• Additions: Red Pepper flakes or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce add a little spiciness.
• Substitutions:
Sausage – You can substitute the Kielbasa with Smoked Sausage, Andouille sausage, or another variety of your preference.
Cream Soup – Cream of Mushroom or Cream of Celery soup is also delicious!
Half and Half / Whole Milk – Sour cream in place of milk is great and imparts a deeper flavor.
Hash Browns – I have substituted with tater tots, and it is great (my kids’ favorite version!) Also, you can dice fresh potatoes if you do not have hash browns.
Cheese – Cheddar is delicious as is Colby, Monterey Jack, and Colby Jack work very well in this recipe. Choose your favorite cheese that melts well! For the best melted cheese, shred your cheese from a block,