Ingredients:

  • 30 oz Frozen Diced Hash Browns
  • 1 lb Ground Italian Sausage
  • 10.5 oz Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
  • 16 oz Full-Fat Sour Cream
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, melted
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1/2 Yellow Onion, finely diced
  • Salt and Freshly Cracked Black Pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Brown the 1 lb of Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium high heat. Break it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon and cook until no pink remains.
  2. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate, but keep about one tablespoon of that flavorful rendered fat in the skillet.
  3. Toss the 1/2 diced yellow onion into that same skillet. Sauté for 3 minutes until the onions are translucent, sweet, and fragrant. Note: This builds a massive flavor base that carries through the entire dish.
  4. In your largest mixing bowl, whisk together the 16 oz sour cream, 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and pale orange.
  5. Stir 1.5 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar into this wet mixture. Note: Saving that last 0.5 cup for the end is the secret to that beautiful golden crust.
  6. Gently fold in the 30 oz of frozen diced hash browns, the cooked sausage, and the sautéed onions. Mix until every single potato cube is glistening with sauce.
  7. Transfer the mixture to your greased 6 quart slow cooker. Use a spatula to level the top so it cooks evenly.
  8. Cover and set the heat to LOW. Let it work its magic for 4 hours. Don't open the lid! Every time you peek, you add 15 minutes to the cook time.
  9. In the final 20 minutes, lift the lid quickly and scatter the remaining 0.5 cup of cheese over the top.
  10. Replace the lid and cook until the cheese is molten, bubbly, and hugging the edges of the pot. Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce: Deep Rich Ragu, Easy Crock Pot Dinner — This robust Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce delivers a deep, rich, velvety ragu. ...How to Make Slow Cooker Spinach Dip - Creamy & Delicious for Every Gathering! — Looking for the perfect party dip? My Slow Cooker Spinach Dip - Creamy & Deli...How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Tacos with Flavorful Twist: Ultimate Guide — Craving something delicious? Try my Slow Cooker Beef Tacos with a Flavorful T... $img_2$