Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole is made with tater tots with southwestern flair and lots of 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.
Not your average recipe today! I made this drool-worthy Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole for dinner the other night. I’ve wanted to try an oven version of John Wayne casserole for years, but never got around to doing it. I thought, why not make it in the slow cooker?
The history on John Wayne Casserole and my changes
I don’t think John Wayne had anything to do with the casserole. I believe the name of this came about because it’s western themed, but still, this is a fun recipe to try. The original John Wayne casserole recipe that I’ve found is made with biscuit mix, but one of the reviewers on Food.com said that she had a version of this casserole made with tater tots at a restaurant. BINGO! That’s how this recipe can be made perfect in the slow cooker, with tater tots.
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 and bacon tater tot casserole that you must try too!
How to make John Wayne Casserole:
You will need:
- tater tots
- ground beef
- bell pepper
- onion
- sour cream
- taco seasoning
- cheese
- salt, pepper, onion powder
I add the bag of tater tots to my slow cooker. Then I brown a pound of hamburger with bell pepper, onion, taco seasoning, and water, I pour that meat mixture over the tots.
Then I make a sour cream and cheese mixture with a bit of seasoning and spread that on top of the meat.
Cook on LOW for 4.5 hours, and topped with more cheese, I put the lid back on the slow cooker and the cheese melts in minutes.
I like to serve this delicious casserole with tomatoes on top. When I say this meal was the bomb, I mean it! I was seriously licking my plate! Try it, you’ll love it!
I want to do a shout-out to my favorite cheese company Tillamook. If you ever visit the Oregon coast you must visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory! We do it once a year. Tillamook was a sponsor at the Indulge Conference I went to recently. We arrived in our hotel room to find that Tillamook stocked our mini fridge with cheese! That was possibly the best gift ever.
Other wonderful Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipes:
- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
- Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin
- Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner
- Slow Cooker Tamale Pie
- Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole
- Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf Stuffed Peppers
- Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Meatloaf
Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash
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Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole
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!
How to Video:
Sarah’s Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Debbie says
I think a can of Ranch Style beans would be so good in this casserole!!
Cindy Herard says
Thinking if I do this will be with shredded hash browns, not Fondo tater tots.
Sarah Olson says
Let me know how it turns out. It definitely would cut down on the calories!
Wynn Wallace says
Could you do this in an oven???
angie says
I am also curious about cooking in the oven
Elizabeth says
My family loved it. I will be making it again soon.
Lynne Patton says
Sounds yummy! I am thinking I will either try the Crispy Crowns or just Hash Browns, thinking it will take up less room in cooker! Thinking also about adding a can or two of refried beans, we love them! Adding them I think on top of the meat then the sour cream mixture.. Can’t wait till tomorrow! Thanks for sharing…
Christine Elrod says
Couldnt I use frozen hash browns instead of tator tots.
Sarah Olson says
I’ve never tried them with this recipe. It may work good. Let me know if you try it and how it works out.
Luna says
would it be alright if I skipped the sour cream?
Sarah Olson says
I think that would work fine, maybe mix the cheese from the sour cream layer into the ground beef? Let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Luna says
sure It looks really good :)!
Luna says
It came out pretty good, the tots burnt a little but thats okay I like burned tator tots lol. couldn’t really taste the cheese unless it a was chunk, but I guess thats what the sour cream is for, I’d definitely make this again! 🙂 Thanks for the great Recipe!
danzehr says
Looks fantastic, thanks for the great recipe!
Grandma Kc says
It really does look delicious and since I live in Orange County – home of John Wayne and the John Wayne Airport I really should try it! Thanks.
kim says
Have you visited John Waynes grave at Pacific View Cemetery ?You live in a beautiful area, I loved Newport Beach when we visited on vacation.
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! says
This looks totally delicious. My family would love it! The tater tots are a great idea!
Elizabeth says
Can’t wait to try it. Sounds great.
Debbie Howard says
Kim, try subbing mashed potatoes for the tator tots and put them on top instead of the bottom. Another idea is to quarter sm red potatoes or new potatoes. Those, I would put on bottom.
Debbie Howard says
Kim, sub sm red potatoes or new potatoes, quartered, for the tatar tots. Or, use mashed potatoes on top. It’s yummy!
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
This looks fantastic!! We will have to try it soon! Great recipe!
ladygourmet says
Such a delicious and comforting meal. Love the sound of this…and I love the title too! xo, Catherine