Name: Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Ranch Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed; 1 cup chicken broth (or water); ¼ cup ghee or butter (use ghee for Whole30-friendly option); 4 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped; 1 tsp. sea salt; 4 strips crisp cooked bacon, chopped; ½ cup homemade ranch or store-purchased ranch dressing; 6 oz. shredded cheddar cheese plus additional for topping (1-1 ½ cups) (Omit for Whole30 or substitute ¼ cup nutritional yeast); ¼ cup chopped chives

If you’re craving something cozy, creamy, and downright irresistible, you have to try this Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Ranch Recipe. It’s the kind of dish that makes everyone around the table smile—a perfect blend of fluffy potatoes, savory bacon, sharp cheddar, and that tangy ranch kick we all adore. Seriously, when I first pulled this off the slow cooker, my family went crazy for it, and I’m betting you’ll love it just as much.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-Off Cooking: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, so you have more time to relax.
Loaded Flavor: Every bite bursts with bacon, cheddar, chives, and creamy ranch magic.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s weeknight comfort or holiday celebrations, this recipe fits right in.
Easy to Customize: You can make it Whole30-friendly or extra cheesy—whatever fits your vibe.

The image shows a white bowl filled with creamy mashed potatoes mixed with melted cheddar cheese, green herbs, and small bits of bacon. The mashed potatoes have a smooth yet slightly chunky texture and are pale yellow in color with bright orange cheese streaks and dark green herb specks scattered throughout. A woman's hand is holding a golden spoon lifting a generous scoop of the mashed potatoes from the bowl, showing the melted cheese strings and herbs on the scoop. The bowl is placed on a black wire rack with a white marbled surface underneath. The background is softly blurred, keeping the focus on the rich, cheesy mashed potatoes. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients aren’t just random additions—they work in harmony to create that creamy, flavorful mash you’ll want seconds of. Plus, a few smart shopping tips to keep things fuss-free.

Russet potatoes: I love russets because they get wonderfully fluffy when cooked, which is perfect for mashing.
Chicken broth (or water): Broth adds depth, but if you’re out, water works just fine—just season well.
Ghee or butter: Ghee is my go-to for a slightly nutty flavor and makes this recipe Whole30-friendly; butter adds classic richness.
Garlic: Roasted right in the slow cooker, it infuses the potatoes with subtle savory warmth.
Sea salt: Essential for highlighting all those flavors—don’t skip or skimp.
Crisp cooked bacon: Adds that irresistible crunch and smoky punch. Here’s a tip—make extra for topping!
Ranch dressing: Homemade elevates the flavor, but store-bought works beautifully for convenience.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar gives a nice bite, but you can adjust based on your cheese preference.
Chives: Fresh and bright, they add the perfect pop of color and mild onion flavor.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’m all about making recipes your own, and this Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Ranch Recipe is no exception. I like to tweak it sometimes based on what I have around or dietary needs, and you’ll find that a little personalization goes a long way.

Whole30-Friendly: I swapped butter for ghee, omitted the cheddar, and replaced it with nutritional yeast—still totally delicious and creamy.
Extra Cheesy: For cheese lovers like me, adding a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack amps up the gooey factor.
Herb Variations: Try fresh parsley or dill instead of chives for a different herbal twist.
Spicy Kick: If you’re feeling bold, a pinch of smoked paprika or a few dashes of hot sauce mixed in really livens things up.

How to Make Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Ranch Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Load the Potatoes

Start by peeling and cutting your russet potatoes into chunks about 1 to 1½ inches in size. Uniform pieces help them cook evenly in the slow cooker. Toss the chunks right into the slow cooker, then add the ghee (or butter), chicken broth, roughly chopped garlic, and sea salt. Give everything a little stir if you want, but it’s okay if you don’t—just make sure the liquid reaches the bottom so the potatoes cook properly.

Step 2: Slow Cook with Patience

Pop on the lid and set your slow cooker to HIGH for about 4 hours. This timing is perfect—any longer and the potatoes might start to get a bit gluey, but after 4 hours, they’re tender enough to mash easily with a fork or potato masher. If you notice the potatoes still feel firm, just give it a bit more time, but watch closely to avoid overcooking.

Step 3: Mash and Mix

Once your potatoes are perfectly soft, it’s mash time! I usually use a potato masher, but if you want ultra-smooth potatoes, an immersion blender works wonders. Add extra chicken broth or water a little at a time until you get the consistency you like—it’s all about how fluffy or creamy you prefer your mash. Then stir in the chopped bacon, ranch dressing, shredded cheddar, and fresh chives. Mix it all until the cheese melts and everything feels lovingly combined.

Step 4: Final Touches and Serve

To finish off, sprinkle some additional cheddar cheese on top, toss on a bit more chopped bacon and chives, and drizzle a little extra ranch if you want that extra zing. Serve immediately to enjoy the melty, savory goodness, or set your slow cooker to ‘Warm’ if you’re not quite ready—this keeps your potatoes cozy without drying them out.

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Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Ranch Recipe

Even Potato Sizes: Cutting your potatoes into similar-sized chunks ensures they cook evenly and mash smoothly every time.
Don’t Skip the Liquid: Adding broth or water to the slow cooker keeps the potatoes moist and infuses flavor during cooking.
Taste and Adjust: After mashing, taste your potatoes and adjust salt, ranch, or cheese to get the perfect balance for your palate.
Avoid Overcooking: Keep an eye on your slow cooker time to prevent gummy potatoes—check at 4 hours and then every 15-20 minutes if needed.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Ranch Recipe

A white bowl is filled with creamy mashed potatoes that have bits of green herbs and small brown crispy pieces mixed inside. The mashed potatoes are swirled with a white, creamy sauce speckled with herbs on top, and chopped green chives are sprinkled over the dish. Two golden spoons rest inside the bowl, partially covered with the creamy mashed potatoes. The bowl sits on a black cooling rack layered on a white marbled surface with a black and white striped cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

When it comes to garnishes, I’m a simple gal—crisp bacon bits, a sprinkle of cheddar cheese, and fresh chives do all the work. The cheese melts just enough on top to create a little cheesy crust that’s so satisfying, and that pop of green from the chives adds freshness you didn’t know you needed. Sometimes I drizzle a little extra ranch for good measure—it’s the perfect finishing touch.

Side Dishes

These loaded mashed potatoes are as hearty as a main dish sometimes, but if you want to pair them up, I love serving them alongside roasted veggies or grilled chicken. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette also balances out the richness nicely. For holiday dinners, they’re a dream partner with a juicy roast beef or turkey.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like to serve the mashed potatoes in mini cast iron skillets or even individual ramekins topped with creative garnish layers—think crispy onions or a dollop of sour cream alongside the ranch. It turns this humble comfort food into a showstopper that everyone raves about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where they keep well for 3 to 4 days. Before sealing, I like to add a little extra ranch or broth to the container to help the potatoes stay creamy and prevent drying out.

Freezing

Freezing loaded mashed potatoes can be a bit tricky because of the dairy and bacon, but I’ve found success freezing the plain cooked potatoes before adding cheese and bacon. Then, once thawed, stir in your toppings fresh. This keeps the texture on point.

Reheating

Reheat leftover Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Ranch Recipe gently in the microwave or on the stove over low heat, stirring often. Adding a splash of broth or milk while reheating helps maintain that creamy texture without drying out.

FAQs

Can I make Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Ranch Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! To keep it vegetarian, simply omit the bacon or replace it with plant-based bacon bits, and make sure your ranch dressing is vegetarian-friendly. The rest of the flavors stand strong on their own.
What’s the best way to prevent watery mashed potatoes?

Use just enough broth to cook the potatoes—not too much. When mashing, add liquid slowly and only as needed for your preferred consistency. Overly watery mash can happen if you add too much liquid upfront.
Can I use other types of potatoes?

You can, but russet potatoes offer the fluffiest results. Yukon Gold works too, giving a slightly creamier texture. Just keep in mind they might require a slight adjustment in cooking time.
Is it okay to use store-bought ranch dressing?

Definitely! Store-bought ranch is a convenient shortcut and tastes great. If you have the time, homemade ranch adds a fresh, tangy touch.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Ranch Recipe has become a cornerstone in my kitchen for all the times I want something comforting but fuss-free. It’s a dish that brings people together and leaves bellies full and happy. I wholeheartedly recommend giving this a try—even if you think you’ve had loaded mashed potatoes before, wait until you taste this slow-cooker magic!