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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 dish brings bold flavors with minimal effort.
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Excellent, so very simple to make. Husband saying “good stuff” didn’t have to ask if he liked it. I made a side of guacamole. All recipes I’ve made from this site have been successful.
– nets
Hearty meat and potato casseroles are the ultimate comfort food, and they’re even better when made in the crockpot! This crockpot cowboy casserole is fit for a cowboy’s appetite and is a stick-to-your-ribs, hearty meal.
Other Cowboy Recipes: Other fun recipes we love are these beefy Slow Cooker Cowboy Sandwiches or this tangy side dish Cowboy Beans, and Cowboy Chili (my best in the west chili!).
Key Ingredients
Beef: One pound of ground beef, buy a pack that is on the lean side.
Sauce Ingredients: Cream of chicken soup is great a no fuss sauce in recipes. Add salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Vegetables: This dish is packed with vegetables; you will need potatoes, onion, and garlic.
Other Ingredients: The recipe includes kidney beans, which gives it a Southwest flair. The recipe is also topped with cheese for a melty finish.
How to make Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
- Brown the beef with onion and garlic.
- Layer everything in the crockpot and spread the seasoned cream soup over the top.
- Cook until the potatoes are tender, then melt cheddar on top before serving.
Tips & Variations
Bacon: Make this more meaty, adds a smoky flavor.
Tex Mex: Use a taco seasoning packet to add more flavor.
Make it Creamy: Stir in a half cup of sour cream before adding cheese.
Spice: To make it spicy, add a diced jalapeno or, even better, a couple of chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
More Vegetables: My suggestions are green beans, corn, bell peppers or mushrooms.
Cheese Swap: Other cheeses that go well with this include white cheddar or pepper jack.
My Serving Suggestions
Starchy Sides: If you want to stretch this meal out to feed more or love more sides, add garlic bread, or steamed white rice.
Vegetables: Add a fresh green salad, steamed green beans or corn on the cob to finish off the meal.
Does the meat have to be browned?
Yes, it’s important to brown and crumble the beef; if you don’t, the meat will be in solid chunks and will also make the casserole have too much liquid.
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!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
How to Store Leftovers
Place the leftovers in the fridge promptly. You can store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing the potatoes, as they will get mushy.
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. Hamburger Hash is a hearty meat and potato recipe.
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, Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole or Amish 6 Layer Dinner are always a hit! Or try my vintage Ham and Potato Casserole.
Excellent, so very simple to make. Husband saying “good stuff” didn’t have to ask if he liked it. I made a side of guacamole. All recipes I’ve made from this site have been successful
Great to hear! We love this recipe too!
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. 🙂