Go Back
A close-up of a cheesy Hamburger Casserole in a white baking dish, with a spoon taking out a serving.

Slow Cooker Lumberjack Casserole

This hearty slow cooker lumberjack casserole is a true comfort food masterpiece, brimming with savory sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and a creamy, cheesy sauce, all cooked effortlessly in your crockpot.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat
  • 1 lb ground pork sausage mild or spicy
  • 6 strips bacon diced
For the Vegetables & Dairy
  • 2 lbs potatoes Yukon gold or Russet, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened, cubed
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided
For the Sauce & Seasoning
  • 1 1/2 cups milk whole or 2%
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground, or to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • 6-quart Slow Cooker
  • Large Skillet
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Whisk

Method
 

Prepare the Meats
  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 1-2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.
  2. Add the ground pork sausage to the same skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set the sausage aside.
Sauté Aromatics
  1. Return the skillet to medium heat (add a little oil if necessary). Add the diced yellow onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Assemble the Casserole
  1. Lightly grease the inside of your 6-quart slow cooker. Layer half of the cubed potatoes evenly on the bottom.
  2. Sprinkle half of the cooked sausage over the potatoes, then half of the cooked bacon, and half of the sautéed onion and garlic mixture.
  3. Sprinkle about 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over this layer. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, sausage, bacon, and onion/garlic mixture.
Prepare the Sauce
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, chicken broth, all-purpose flour, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Add the cubed cream cheese and whisk again until relatively smooth (small lumps are okay as they will melt during cooking).
Slow Cook
  1. Pour the sauce evenly over the layers in the slow cooker, ensuring it seeps down.
  2. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3.5-4.5 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the sauce is bubbly and thickened.
  3. About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Re-cover and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  4. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy your Slow Cooker Lumberjack Casserole!

Notes

For best results, use waxy potatoes like Yukon Golds as they hold their shape better than Russets. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use heavy cream instead of milk. Feel free to adjust the amount of spices to your liking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.