Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Baby Potatoes
“The Side Dish Everyone Fights For”
Servings: 4–6
Total Time: 3–4 hours (or overnight, if you prefer!)
Ingredients:
- Baby Potatoes – 2 lbs (about 1 kg), halved or left whole, depending on size
- Garlic-Infused Olive Oil – ¼ cup (or use regular olive oil and add 2–3 cloves of minced garlic if you prefer)
- Parmesan Cheese – ½ cup (freshly grated is best for that rich, nutty flavor)
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper – To taste (about ½ tsp)Optional (but highly recommended):
- Fresh herbs: Chopped parsley, thyme, or rosemary to sprinkle at the end
- Sea salt: For an extra finishing touch
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Potatoes:
- Rinse the baby potatoes under cool water to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- If you’re using larger baby potatoes, you can halve them to ensure even cooking and allow the flavors to penetrate more easily. If they’re smaller (about the size of a marble), you can leave them whole for a tender, bite-sized result.Tip: If you don’t want to slice the potatoes, leaving them whole gives you the option to just pop them in, and they will cook beautifully, but halving them helps speed up the process slightly.
2. Layer the Potatoes in the Slow Cooker:
- Place the potatoes in the slow cooker (also called a crockpot). If you have a 6-quart slow cooker, it should easily fit 2 pounds of potatoes without overcrowding. If you need to double the recipe, just use a larger slow cooker, or cook in batches.Tip: Arrange the potatoes so that they are in one even layer at the bottom. This ensures more even cooking.
3. Add the Garlic-Infused Olive Oil:
- Pour the garlic-infused olive oil over the potatoes, making sure they’re coated evenly. If you don’t have garlic-infused olive oil, you can use regular olive oil and toss in minced garlic to give it the same flavor punch.
- Toss the potatoes gently with your hands or a spoon so that each potato gets a good coating of the oil.Tip: For an even stronger garlic flavor, you can sauté the garlic in the olive oil first, letting it simmer for about 30 seconds before adding it to the potatoes.
4. Season:
- Sprinkle the freshly ground black pepper over the potatoes. You can also add sea salt to taste, but keep in mind that the Parmesan will add some saltiness, so you don’t want to overdo it.Optional: Add fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme for an aromatic touch. If you use rosemary, I suggest roughly chopping it into smaller pieces so the flavor infuses more evenly.
5. Slow Cook:
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the potatoes on low for about 3–4 hours, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. You can cook them on high for about 2–3 hours if you’re in a bit of a rush.Tip: The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your potatoes, so check after 3 hours for tenderness. The smaller the potatoes, the quicker they will cook!
6. Finish with Parmesan:
- Once the potatoes are cooked and tender, it’s time to bring the magic of Parmesan into play. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the potatoes and toss gently to coat. The warmth of the potatoes will make the cheese melt, creating that lovely, cheesy goodness.
- For an extra touch, grate more Parmesan on top after serving.Tip: If you like your cheese a little crispy, you can switch the slow cooker to high for the last 15 minutes and let the cheese get a little golden and crispy on top!
7. Garnish and Serve:
- To finish it off, sprinkle with fresh parsley or any other fresh herbs you have on hand. You could even add a little extra black pepper to taste or a pinch of sea salt for a gourmet finish.
Why This Side Dish is a Winner:
- Simple and Easy: It takes just 4 ingredients to make, and most of that time is spent in the slow cooker, which means less work for you.
- Tender Potatoes: The slow cooker does the work of tenderizing the baby potatoes, leaving them perfectly soft and flavorful without the need for boiling or roasting.
- Garlic and Parmesan Flavor: The combination of garlic-infused olive oil and Parmesan cheese gives the dish a rich, savory flavor that everyone will love. The garlic infuses the potatoes, and the Parmesan melts into every bite.
- Customizable: You can adjust the recipe by adding your favorite herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano for extra depth of flavor.
- Crowd-Pleasing: People will literally fight over the last bite of this dish—it’s that good. It’s a perfect side for any occasion, from a weeknight dinner to a holiday feast.
How to Customize the Recipe:
- For Creamier Potatoes: After the potatoes are cooked, mash them gently with a fork for a more creamy, mashed potato texture while keeping the garlic-Parmesan flavor intact.
- Add Bacon: For a crispy, salty twist, sprinkle some cooked, crumbled bacon on top before serving.
- Spicy Kick: If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a bit of finely chopped jalapeño along with the garlic and Parmesan.
- Lemon Zest: A little zest of lemon at the end can cut through the richness and add a refreshing citrusy finish.
How to Store Leftovers:
- Let the potatoes cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They can be kept in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
- To reheat, simply microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If you want the Parmesan to melt again, you can sprinkle a little extra cheese on top and pop it in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.
Final Thoughts:
This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Baby Potatoes recipe is a game-changer when it comes to making an easy, yet flavorful, side dish. With just 4 simple ingredients and the help of your slow cooker, you can create a dish that’s bound to impress and be the first to disappear at any table. Tender, golden potatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese are all you need for a side dish that’s both effortless and delicious. The best part? You can double the recipe, and it still won’t be enough!
