John Wayne Casserole
209 CommentsUpdated Jan 28, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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.
Are the potatoes crunchy at all on the bottom?
No it turns into a single potato layer, it’s quite delicious, but not crunchy.
Can I shred potatoes And just put that on the bottom?
Hi Deborah. I think the potatoes would turn brown, BUT I if you were to try this, definitely spray the crock pot with non-stick spray, and maybe stir the meat into the potatoes, then they won’t brown.
I will be making this for sure!
This is very similar to what I make, calling it my taco pie. I am gonna use shredded hash browns instead of tater tots. Will try it next Sunday at church potluck. I bet it will get eaten completely gone!
This sounds so delish! I could see adding the fresh ingredients to the top: tomatoes, onion, any colored peppers and even lettuce … another plop of sour cream n hot sauce/fresh hot peppers! Give it a lil crunch with lettuce and other toppings! I could totally see your recipe that is over the tater tots over cornbread <southern thang! Or a fill in for lettuce wraps! Or in tortillas! As a dip with Scoops for dipping! Maybe add extra cheese for that plus a half can of refried beans for dipping consistency. OH at the possibilities! TY for sharing! DEFINITELY MAKING THIS VERY SOON!
It says single layer of tater tots, so does that mean do not use the whole bag?
It’s the whole bag, I’ll fix that!
I think a can of Ranch Style beans would be so good in this casserole!!
Thinking if I do this will be with shredded hash browns, not Fondo tater tots.
Let me know how it turns out. It definitely would cut down on the calories!
Could you do this in an oven???
I am also curious about cooking in the oven
My family loved it. I will be making it again soon.
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…