John Wayne Casserole
209 CommentsUpdated Jan 28, 2026
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This John Wayne Casserole is made with a twist—tater tots! This hearty slow cooker casserole starts with a layer of potatoes, followed by a creamy, cheesy sour cream mixture, seasoned ground beef, and is finished with a generous topping of melted cheese.
I love making casseroles in the slow cooker if you want to try a few other great ones try my Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu or Chicken Enchilada Casserole recipes.
I don’t think John Wayne had anything to do with this casserole—the name likely comes from its western-style ingredients. The original version uses biscuit mix, but a reviewer once mentioned having it with tater tots at a restaurant. That’s the perfect slow cooker twist—tater tots make it easy and delicious!
I have a beloved standard crockpot tater tot casserole recipe that I adore on my site, so I knew exactly how to assemble this new creation. I also make a chicken tater tot casserole that you must try too!
Ingredients for John Wayne Casserole
This slow cooker casserole is easy to put together with simple ingredients. Find the full recipe in the recipe card below the images.
This easy meal starts with frozen tater tots, topped with taco-seasoned ground beef, onions, and peppers. A creamy sour cream and cheddar layer goes on next, finished with more cheese and optional fresh toppings like tomatoes or peppers.
Recipe Video
Watch me make this casserole in my crockpot:
How to Make John Wayne Casserole
Here is my method for making this easy slow cooker casserole. Once you get your ground beef browned, it comes together quickly.
Step One: I add the bag of tater tots to my slow cooker.
Step Two: Then I brown a pound of hamburger with bell pepper, onion, taco seasoning, and water, I pour that meat mixture over the tots.
Step Four: Then I make a sour cream and cheese mixture with a bit of seasoning and spread that on top of the meat.
Step Five: Cook on LOW for 4.5 hours, and then top with more cheese. I put the lid back on the slow cooker, and the cheese melts in minutes.
My Serving Suggestions
Being that we make this so often, we know exactly how to serve it:
- I like to top this delicious casserole with tomatoes and green bell peppers. The cool tomatoes, along with the crunchy contrast of the bell peppers, really make the dish.
- You can also top the casserole with sour cream and green onions.
- Other serving ideas are a side of cornbread or green salad.
Featured Comment
“It made this dish yesterday for the family and it was a HUGE hit! Seconds all around! YUMMY! Thank you for the great recipe! I’ll be trying more for sure!”
– Patti
John Wayne Casserole Recipe
How to Video
Ingredients
- 32 oz. bag tater tots, (frozen, not thawed)
- 1 lb. ground beef,
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 oz. taco seasoning mix, (I use Lawry's)
- water, add the amount of water to the meat that the taco mix says to add, 2/3 cup is what my packet said
- 16 oz. sour cream
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese (divided, half in sour cream mixture and half on top at the end)
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
optional toppings
- diced tomatoes
- bell peppers
Instructions
- Spray a 6-quart oval slow cooker with non-stick spray. Add the tater tots down in an even layer, so there isn't a high spot.
- In a large skillet, set over medium high heat, brown the hamburger, onions and bell pepper. When the meat is browned, drain the fat. Add the amount of water the taco packet says to add to the meat (my packet said to add 2/3 cup). Add the taco packet, and continue cooking and stirring until the meat and the seasoning has thickened.
- Pour the meat mixture over the tater tots in the slow cooker.
- In a medium sized bowl add the sour cream, salt, pepper, onion powder, and half of the cheese (this is about a heaping cup of shredded cheese, save the other half to top the casserole at the end.)
- Spread this sour cream cheese mixture over the meat mixture in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4.5 hours, without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- After the cooking time is up add the remaining cheese evenly over the casserole.
- Cover and let the cheese melt, this will only take about 5-10 minutes.
- To serve, top with diced tomatoes.
- Enjoy!
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Ground Slow Cooker Beef Recipes to try:
Lumberjack Casserole is a hearty slow cooker dinner with beef, potatoes, beans, and cheese—perfect for a filling family meal.
Creamy and comforting, Cowboy Casserole layers ground beef, potatoes, and cheese for a satisfying all-in-one crockpot dish.
With bold flavor and simple ingredients, this Wendy’s Chili recipe lets you enjoy the drive-thru favorite right at home.
Crockpot Sloppy Joes are sweet, savory, and made with ease—just pile onto buns and dinner’s done.
I LOVE tater tots and remind me so much of childhood yum! Pinned and shared!
This looks SO good! I love the name! My kids will add this to the favorites list!
Sounds great
Wow, this sounds delicious. I’ve never heard of John Wayne casserole. I bet it was amazing with Tillamook. cheese!
ya oughta try John Wayne toilet paper,,,ruff tuff takes crap off nobody,,LOL
Such great comfort food. I would love a big spoon!
I’ll be trying this! Tater tots are my favorite childhood food. This whole meal looks scrumptious!
Loving this! I love using my slow cooker for night’s when we have ball games and are getting home later, yet everyone is HUNGRY. Cannot wait to try! And super jealous you were at the Indulge Conference!
I only have a round cooker. How would I handle the tater tots portion using my cooker?
Great question Jo Ann. This should work fine in a round cooker. You may be only able to use 3/4 bag of the tots depending on the size of your slow cooker.
surely not gonna hurt to make dbl. layer of tots..I bet…maybe cook a bit more
You could try layering. I have a round pot too, and stuff like this I just layer.
So you thaw tater tots before putting in crock pot?
No I don’t thaw the tots first. I’ll add that to the post, thank you! 😉
I found out a few years ago, a person who does not cook makes a good proof reader for recipes. My husband asked questions I took for granted. He was great help..
Thanks Judi, that’s great advice, he did help me edit my cookbook. He was a great help 🙂
Could jalapeño/Serrano peppers be substituted for the bell pepper
yes! That would be really good for some heat!
sound lovdly what is tator tots
Tater tots are fried potato balls, this is what they look like:
May i ask where are you from that you do not know what a tater tot is?
Hi Celenda! I’m from Oregon, and here is what tater tots are: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tater_tot
I will try the recipe it looks very very good
It was not good, I had to throw away the whole thing, way too dry.