Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Sausage and Potato Casserole

• 1 pound mild Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, halved
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer cooked sausage to the slow cooker.
2. In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant. Transfer onion and garlic to the slow cooker over the sausage.
3. Add halved baby potatoes to the slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth, then sprinkle dried Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper evenly on top.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours, until potatoes are tender.
5. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cream cheese, heavy cream, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Mix well to create a creamy sauce.
6. Cover and continue cooking on low for 30 additional minutes until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened.
7. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, comforting slow cooker casserole.

Chef tips

• For a spicier dish, use hot Italian sausage instead of mild.
• If you don’t have baby potatoes, use Yukon gold or red potatoes cut into small chunks to ensure even cooking.
• To reduce dairy fat, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the dish will be less rich.
• Make sure to brown the sausage first for extra flavor; skipping this step will result in a less savory casserole.