My uncle lived off this 3 ingredient classic during hard times. A surprisingly delicious and hearty meal that costs almost nothing to make

This slow cooker 3-ingredient Spam and potatoes is one of those scrappy, hard-times meals that still manages to feel cozy and satisfying. My uncle swore by this combo when money was tight—just a can of Spam, a pile of potatoes, and a simple seasoning to pull it all together. Everything simmers low and slow until the Spam turns into thick, browned cubes and the potatoes get soft and golden, soaking up all those savory juices. It’s not fancy, but it fills bellies, stretches the budget, and tastes like the kind of comfort food you remember from childhood.

Serve this straight from the slow cooker with a big spoon and let everyone scoop their own. It’s especially good with a side of frozen peas or green beans (cheap and easy), or a simple green salad if you have it. Warm dinner rolls or plain white bread are great for soaking up the salty, savory juices. A little ketchup or hot sauce on the table gives folks the option to dress it up, and if you’ve got shredded cheese on hand, sprinkling a bit over each bowl right before serving makes it feel extra homey.

Servings: 4

1 (12-ounce) can Spam or similar canned cooked luncheon meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Lightly grease the inside of a small to medium slow cooker (about 3 to 4 quarts) with a bit of cooking spray or oil if you have it, just to help with cleanup. This is optional but helpful.

Add the diced potatoes to the slow cooker, spreading them out in an even layer so they cook evenly.

Sprinkle the seasoned salt evenly over the potatoes. Toss the potatoes gently with your hands or a spoon so the seasoning is distributed as well as possible.

Scatter the cubed Spam over the top of the potatoes. You don’t need to stir; as everything cooks, the Spam will release its fat and juices, which will drip down and flavor the potatoes.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender and the Spam cubes are browned around the edges. About halfway through the cooking time, gently stir the mixture once if you’re home and able—this helps the potatoes soak up more of the savory juices, but it’s not strictly necessary.

Once the potatoes are soft and the Spam is lightly crisped and pinkish-brown, give everything a final gentle stir. Taste a potato and add a tiny pinch more seasoned salt if needed, keeping in mind Spam is already salty.

Serve hot right from the slow cooker, making sure each portion gets plenty of the golden potatoes, browned Spam cubes, and the savory juices from the bottom.

If you’re cooking for picky eaters, you can cut the Spam into smaller cubes so it blends in more with the potatoes, or even mash some of the cooked potatoes slightly at the end to make it feel more like a chunky hash. For a little extra flavor without adding more ingredients, you can brown the Spam cubes in a skillet first until they’re nicely caramelized, then add them to the slow cooker—this step isn’t required, but it deepens the flavor and gives more of those roasted edges you see in the finished dish. If you have different potatoes on hand, use what you’ve got: Yukon golds will stay a bit creamier, while russets get softer and soak up more of the juices. To stretch the meal for a bigger family, serve it over plain white rice or buttered noodles, or stir in an extra potato or two if your slow cooker has room. For those who like a little kick, set out black pepper, hot sauce, or crushed red pepper flakes at the table so everyone can season their own bowl without changing the original three-ingredient base. And if you ever have a tiny bit of shredded cheese or a dollop of sour cream in the fridge, adding it to individual servings can make this humble, budget-friendly dish feel a bit more special without changing the core recipe.