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Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole layers savory beef, tender potatoes, and melty cheddar in a rich, seasoned sauce for the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for busy nights, this hearty dish brings bold flavors with minimal effort.
Table of Contents
Hearty meat and potato casseroles are the ultimate comfort food, and they’re even better when made in the crockpot! These satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs meals are perfect for busy days when you want a warm and filling dinner without much effort.
Whether you’re making a cheesy Hamburger Hash or our classic Lumberjack Casserole, you know you’re in for a delicious, home-cooked treat. While you do need to brown the ground beef first for the best flavor and texture, the rest of the ingredients come together effortlessly in the slow cooker. As it simmers, the flavors meld beautifully, creating a rich, savory dish that’s ready to serve with minimal prep. Our Shipwreck Stew also has many similar flavors.
Ingredients Needed:
My Crockpot Cowboy Casserole combines ground beef, onion, and garlic for a savory base, with potatoes and kidney beans adding heartiness. Diced tomatoes bring freshness, while cream of chicken or mushroom soup creates a creamy texture. A blend of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper enhances the flavor, and cheddar cheese melts on top for the perfect finish. {The full recipe is in the recipe card below the images}
Other fun recipes we love are these beefy Slow Cooker Cowboy Sandwiches or this tangy side dish Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans.
How to make Crockpot Cowboy Casserole
- Cook the ground beef, onion and garlic in a skillet.
- Add the potatoes to the slow cooker.
- Add the ground beef and onion mixture on top of the potatoes.
- Add the beans and tomatoes on top of the other layers.
- In a small bowl, mix the soup with the seasonings.
- Pour the soup mixture over the other layers in the slow cooker.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until the potatoes are tender.
- Sprinkle over the cheese.
- Replace the lid and let melt, serve and enjoy!
Variations
- Add cooked bacon for flavor and texture.
- Use a taco seasoning packet instead of all the seasonings listed.
- Stir in a half cup of sour cream before adding cheese.
- To make it spicy, add a diced jalapeno or, even better, a couple of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
- For added vegetables, my suggestions are green beans, corn, bell peppers or mushrooms.
- You can substitute the cheddar cheese with a different type of cheese such as Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican blend for a different flavor profile.
My Serving Suggestions
- Garlic Bread – Buttery, toasted garlic bread pairs perfectly with the rich tomato sauce and cheese.
- Side Salad – A crisp green salad with a light Italian dressing adds a refreshing contrast.
- Steamed Green Beans – A simple, classic side that balances the meal.
- Buttered Corn – Sweet corn (on the cob or off) complements the savory flavors of the beef and sauce.
- Rice – To stretch the recipe to feed more people, serve over white rice.
Other slow cooker casseroles:
- If you love hearty slow-cooked meals, try recipes like Crockpot Beef Noodle Casserole or Hamburger Potato Casserole for a classic, comforting dinner.
- For a Tex-Mex twist, Taco Potato Casserole and Mexican Bubble Up Casserole bring bold flavors the whole family will love.
- And if you’re craving something extra cheesy, Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole or Amish 6 Layer Dinner are always a hit!
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole Recipe
How to Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 10.5 oz. can cream of chicken soup, or cream of mushroom soup
- 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- In the bottom of your slow cooker, spread an even layer of the diced potatoes.
- Add the cooked ground beef, onion, and garlic mixture on top of the potatoes.
- Pour in the kidney beans and diced tomatoes, spreading them evenly over the beef mixture.
- In a small bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup with the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Pour this mixture over the layered ingredients in the slow cooker. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, ensuring all ingredients are coated.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded together nicely.
- About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Replace the lid and allow the cheese to melt.
- Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, the casserole is ready to serve. Scoop portions into bowls or plates. Enjoy!
Sarah’s Notes
- Add cooked bacon for flavor and texture.
- Use a taco seasoning packet instead of all the seasonings listed.
- Stir in a half cup of sour cream before adding cheese.
- To make it spicy, add a diced jalapeno or, even better, a couple of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
- For added vegetables, my suggestions are green beans, corn, bell peppers or mushrooms.
- You can substitute the cheddar cheese with a different type of cheese such as Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican blend for a different flavor profile.
- Garlic Bread – Buttery, toasted garlic bread pairs perfectly with the rich tomato sauce and cheese.
- Side Salad – A crisp green salad with a light Italian dressing adds a refreshing contrast.
- Steamed Green Beans – A simple, classic side that balances the meal.
- Buttered Corn – Sweet corn (on the cob or off) complements the savory flavors of the beef and sauce.
- Rice – To stretch the recipe to feed more people, serve over white rice.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Looks and sounds marvelous! Too bad I found this recipe now that winter is almost over; I’m definitely making this next winter, or maybe soon if the weather gets cold again! Thank you for all of your mouthwatering creations.
What does weather have to do with when a recipe is ok to make?
There aren’t any rules regarding what time of year to cook.
Yummy Recipe. Some people enjoy heartier, heavier “comfort food” meals like this when the weather is cooler – not so much when it’s warmer. Probably depends on their circumstances. 🙂