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Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole Recipe

4.7 from 115 reviews

This Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for busy days. Ground beef, sliced potatoes, vegetables, kidney beans, and a creamy, flavorful sauce slowly cook together to create a rich and satisfying meal topped with melted cheese. Easy to prepare with minimal hands-on time, it’s ideal for family dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups sliced potatoes (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 1 cup frozen corn

Canned Goods and Dairy

  • 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your preference)

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and chop the onion and garlic uniformly to ensure even cooking. Slice the potatoes evenly to about 1/4 inch thickness.
  2. Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up into crumbles. Drain excess fat to reduce greasiness.
  3. Layer the Slow Cooker: Place the sliced potatoes as the bottom layer in the slow cooker. Next, layer the browned beef evenly on top, followed by chopped onions, minced garlic, drained kidney beans, frozen corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies.
  4. Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until smooth and evenly mixed.
  5. Add Sauce to Slow Cooker: Pour the creamy soup mixture evenly over the layered ingredients in the slow cooker, covering as much as possible to infuse flavor throughout.
  6. Cook: Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the potatoes to soften and flavors to meld.
  7. Add Cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover again and allow the cheese to melt completely.
  8. Serve: Once the cheese has melted, serve the casserole warm. Enjoy your comforting cowboy casserole!

Notes

  • For a lower sodium version, rinse canned beans thoroughly and use low-sodium canned tomatoes and soup.
  • Feel free to substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup based on your preference.
  • This recipe can be assembled the night before; keep covered in the refrigerator and cook the next day.
  • Add fresh cilantro or green onions as garnish for extra flavor.
  • You can substitute ground turkey for beef if you prefer a leaner protein.
  • Ensure potatoes are sliced uniformly to cook evenly in the slow cooker.

Keywords: Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole, ground beef casserole, easy slow cooker recipe, potato casserole, comfort food