Slow Cooker Beef Bread Hash
Looking for an easy slow cooker ground beef recipe that uses simple pantry ingredients? This Slow Cooker Beef Bread Hash is a cozy, budget-friendly dinner made with ground beef, stale bread, onion, cream of mushroom soup, and milk.
The stale bread absorbs the creamy, savory sauce as everything cooks together, creating a comforting dish with a texture somewhere between a hearty beef casserole, stuffing, and old-fashioned hash. It’s an excellent way to use up day-old bread while putting an inexpensive and filling dinner on the table with very little hands-on work.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Beef Recipe
- Easy one-pot dinner: Everything cooks in the slow cooker with minimal preparation.
- Budget-friendly: Ground beef, bread, onion, and condensed soup make an affordable family meal.
- Great for leftover bread: Stale bread works especially well because it absorbs the flavorful sauce.
- Simple ingredients: You only need five main ingredients.
- Make-ahead friendly: Assemble the ingredients quickly and let the slow cooker handle the cooking.
- Comfort food classic: The creamy beef and soft savory bread create a satisfying old-fashioned flavor.
- Family-friendly: The mild flavors make this an easy dinner for the whole family.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours on LOW or 2–3 hours on HIGH
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 cups stale bread cubes
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup milk
Optional Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt, only if needed
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Bread Hash
1. Prepare the slow cooker
Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker to make serving and cleanup easier.
Place the raw ground beef in the bottom of the crock. Break it apart into a loose, even layer rather than packing it tightly together.
2. Add the onion and creamy sauce
Scatter the chopped onion evenly over the ground beef.
In a separate bowl, whisk the condensed cream of mushroom soup with the milk until mostly smooth. Pour the mixture evenly over the beef and onion.
3. Add the stale bread
Spread the stale bread cubes over the top, covering the surface.
Gently press the bread down so some of it can absorb the creamy mixture, but avoid aggressively mixing the ingredients at this stage.
4. Slow cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the ground beef is fully cooked and the bread has become tender and savory.
5. Stir and serve
Stir everything thoroughly before serving so the ground beef, bread, onions, and creamy sauce are evenly combined.
Serve hot with your favorite vegetable or a crisp green salad.
Tips for the Best Beef Bread Hash
Use sturdy stale bread: Day-old French bread, sandwich bread, or a plain bakery loaf works well. Firmer bread maintains more texture as it absorbs the sauce.
Don’t use sweet bread: Avoid cinnamon bread, brioche with added sweetness, or other strongly sweet breads because they can change the savory flavor of the dish.
Season carefully: Cream of mushroom soup can already contain a significant amount of salt. Add black pepper, garlic powder, or thyme first and taste before adding additional salt.
Add cheese: For a richer, casserole-style finish, stir in 1 to 1½ cups of shredded cheddar during the final 20 minutes of cooking.
Try another condensed soup: Cream of celery or cream of onion soup can be substituted for cream of mushroom soup for a slightly different flavor.
Add a little heat: Serve with hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, or a spoonful of your favorite mustard.
What to Serve With Beef Bread Hash
This hearty slow cooker dinner pairs nicely with lighter vegetable sides. Try:
- Crisp green salad
- Steamed green beans
- Buttered peas
- Roasted carrots
- Steamed broccoli
- Dill pickles
- Simple cucumber salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh bread instead of stale bread?
Stale or day-old bread is preferable because it absorbs the creamy sauce without becoming excessively mushy. If using fresh bread, cut it into cubes and allow it to dry out before cooking.
Can I add cheese to this recipe?
Yes. Cheddar is an especially good choice. Add approximately 1 to 1½ cups during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Can I use another cream soup?
Yes. Cream of celery and cream of onion soup are good alternatives to cream of mushroom soup.
Can I freeze beef bread hash?
The texture of the bread may become softer after freezing and thawing, so this dish is best enjoyed fresh. If you do freeze leftovers, cool them completely, store them in an airtight freezer-safe container, and reheat thoroughly.
Is this a good recipe for leftover bread?
Absolutely. This is one of the reasons the recipe is so practical. Firm, day-old bread works particularly well because it soaks up the savory sauce and helps create the hearty casserole-like texture.
