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Home » Dinner » Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole

Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole

by Sarah Olson on May 19, 2019 | Updated August 6, 2020 186 Comments

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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 Chicken Cordon Bleu or Chicken Enchilada Casserole recipes.

casserole in the slow cooker with bell pepper and tomato on top.

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.

tater tot casserole in the slow cooker with cheese, bell pepper and tomatoes on top.

I have a beloved standard tater tot casserole recipe that I adore on my site, so I knew exactly how to assemble this new creation.

How to make John Wayne Casserole:

tater tots, ground beef, cheese, bell pepper, onion, sour cream, onion, bell pepper in front of slow cooker.

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.

ground beef in slow cooker with taco seasoning, bell pepper and onion.

Then I make a sour cream and cheese mixture with a bit of seasoning and spread that on top of the meat.

cheese and sour cream over ground beef in the slow cooker.

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.

John Wayne casserole in the slow cooker with bell pepper and tomatoes on top.

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!

john wayne casserole in an oval slow cooker with wooden spoon in 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.

wooden spoon in John Wayne casserole in the slow cooker.

Other wonderful Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
  • Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin
  • Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner
  • Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf Stuffed Peppers
  • Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs
  • Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Meatloaf
  • Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest and YouTube.

Casserole with ground beef cheese, sour cream in a the slow cooker. Melted cheese, tomato and bell pepper on top.

Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole

5 from 24 votes
A southwestern beefy casserole over tater tots.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: John Wayne Casserole
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 541kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

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
US Customary – Metric

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:

Recipe Notes:

This recipe is very mild if you desire a more spicy version try pepper-jack cheese or replacing the bell pepper with jalapeno.
Nutritional values are approximate. If you require a special diet, please use your own calculations. Values below are for 1/8 of the recipe.

Nutrition:

Calories: 541kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 1061mg | Potassium: 636mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1025IU | Vitamin C: 23.6mg | Calcium: 293mg | Iron: 2.5mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

First published 06/04/2015

Updated 05/19/2019

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    Filed Under: Beef, Dinner, Ground Beef Tagged With: beef, cheese, Crock pot, crockpot, slow cooker, Sour Cream, taco, tater tots

    Comments

    1. Patti says

      September 23, 2020 at 6:19 pm

      I made this yesterday and thought it was good but it needs something. My husband doesn’t like anything spicy but I would want a little more spice. The kids all loved it.

      Reply
    2. Stevie says

      August 27, 2020 at 4:13 am

      I read that when John Wayne was FYI g of cancer a young girl had written him and asked for a recipe to put in a cookbook she was getting to benefit the American Cancer Society, and he sent her this recipe, which has been adjusted and tweaked over the years. Don’t know how true that story is, but it’s pretty sweet! Can’t wait to try this recipe!

      Reply
    3. Teresa says

      July 31, 2020 at 3:01 pm

      5 stars
      Great

      Reply
    4. Katie says

      July 20, 2020 at 11:36 am

      5 stars
      My husband and I were pleasantly surprised by this dish. I did add some green chilies, garlic powder -!; onion powder to the sour cream mixture

      Reply
      • Denise says

        August 23, 2020 at 6:24 am

        I think this would be better baked in the oven, so the tater tots could get a little crispy

        Reply
        • Carol says

          August 27, 2020 at 5:16 pm

          The flavor is good the tater tots are mush. I have tried it twice I like the flavor but not in the Crock-Pot I will not do it again

          Reply
        • terry says

          October 9, 2020 at 11:39 pm

          if you find a bake time that works and degree that works would be great

          Reply
          • Martha Ramirez says

            October 10, 2020 at 11:35 am

            5 stars
            tried it this way. I air fried the tator tots til crispy. Spray the bottom of the pan/crockpot with Pam. I put the meat mixture on the bottom of the crockpot or iron skillet, then put the sour cream mixture on top of that, and then the tator tots on top, covered with a bit of cheddar cheese. I baked it with an iron skillet with the lid on in oven for 2.5 hours at 375 (you can cook it at a higher temp & shorter time.) I took it out of my oven & the cheese was melted on the crispy tator tots and it was delicious! The grandkids hate mushy tator tots & they love cheesy tator tots, so this solved the problem! I also thought it was a bit bland, so the next time I added minced garlic to the meat.

            Reply
    5. Lisa says

      May 24, 2020 at 3:13 pm

      How would I go about cooking this in my instant pot?

      Reply
      • Anonymous says

        June 16, 2020 at 6:37 pm

        I was wondering the same. Would be less mess to clean up.

        Reply
        • Anonymous says

          June 30, 2020 at 8:24 pm

          Use a crock pot liner.

          Reply
          • DVCSSR says

            July 6, 2020 at 4:29 am

            I agree the crockpot liners are great. Pull up each end, tie it shut and throw it away. Best way to clean up a dish that calls for cheese that can be a pain to scrub off of a pot. $2.29 for 8 liners is a great deal.

            Reply
    6. Denise Bruce says

      April 2, 2020 at 2:29 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent

      Reply
    7. Renee says

      March 1, 2020 at 4:07 pm

      Did not enjoy this. Lacks flavor but is easy to prepare

      Reply
      • Tina D Williams says

        March 25, 2020 at 12:09 pm

        If you’re like me, you find the store taco seasoning missing something. I would recommend making your own taco seasoning and using it. This way, if you want more heat, you can put it in there. We like adding Ghost peppers to our taco seasoning. Try it that way and see if that helps.

        Reply
      • Melody says

        May 28, 2020 at 1:47 am

        Try seasoning the tater tots before adding them. This helps many potato recipes for me, as potatoes are so bland. Salt, pepper, onion flakes, Lawrys, Mrs Dash, little bit of southwest seasoning, garlic, etc. will help any potato based recipe, in my opinion. Also sub tomato juice or v8 for the water in the two meat.

        Reply
    8. Nanci says

      December 24, 2019 at 1:03 pm

      This is our go-to Christmas Eve supper. I put it in the crockpot about 2, relax until Christmas Eve service at 5, come home and add the cheese, turn it off, let it sit until we’re ready to eat. Then we build a fire on the patio and make s’mores.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 24, 2019 at 1:25 pm

        Such a great idea Nancy! Merry Christmas!

        Reply
      • Crystal says

        February 19, 2020 at 8:57 am

        Do you stir it at any point during the cooking time This looks delicious I want to try this

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          February 19, 2020 at 9:01 am

          No, do not stir. It’s like a layered casserole.

          Reply
    9. McCaff says

      December 12, 2019 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars
      It was amazing! My wife and I had it for supper this evening. Great find!

      Reply
    10. Anonymous says

      December 7, 2019 at 3:55 pm

      5 stars
      Tried it today and we love it

      Reply
    11. Julie Kemp says

      November 18, 2019 at 4:28 am

      5 stars
      My family loved it and as we talked about what was “missing’ my husband and son came up with they wanted to try it with some corn next time to give it a more of a “southwest” feeling. I’m game, first time making this I was nervous but it sure did sound good, it made it to the family approval list! With 5 of us it’s hard to please everyone, this one pleased all 🙂 Thank you for the idea

      Reply
    12. Lorie says

      September 23, 2019 at 11:26 am

      5 stars
      My family loves this recipe We also cook it in the oven if I don’t have time to put it in the crockpot

      Reply
      • Colette says

        December 16, 2019 at 6:52 am

        Lorie, whhat temp and time do you use in the oven? Thanks

        Reply
      • Kayla says

        May 8, 2020 at 6:56 pm

        5 stars
        I LOVE this dish and have made it many times in the crock-pot. I’d like to try it in the oven since I plan on making this to deliver to a friend, and it would be much easier to send a casserole dish than my crock-pot. What temp and how long in the oven?

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          May 8, 2020 at 9:47 pm

          Hi Lorie! I would cook it like a tater tot casserole in the oven. Perhaps like this one: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/222037/tatertot-casserole/

          Reply
          • Anonymous says

            May 28, 2020 at 2:16 am

            what is tater tot?

            Reply
            • Sarah Olson says

              May 28, 2020 at 8:20 am

              frozen potato balls that are deep fried.

    13. Arlene Cosand says

      May 20, 2019 at 8:35 am

      I notice that the recipe still says “single layer”. I’m confused.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        May 20, 2019 at 9:18 am

        That is some very bad wording on my part I will fix that. Put them down in an even layer so they are not high in one spot. Thank you for pointing that out.

        Reply
    14. Rick R Keane says

      May 20, 2019 at 8:16 am

      Is there a substitute for the sour cream?

      Reply
      • Heather says

        July 31, 2019 at 8:25 pm

        Nonfat greek yogurt is always a good sub for sour cream in recipes

        Reply
    15. Brandy says

      May 19, 2019 at 1:22 pm

      Can you change the setting to high and split the time in half?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        May 19, 2019 at 8:37 pm

        You may be able to get away with 3 hours on high. Though I’d watch that the edges don’t burn.

        Reply
    16. Michael Murphy says

      May 7, 2019 at 9:40 am

      @Kimberly – I’ve made this countless times and it’s always a big hit. I do kick it up a bit with a can of green chilies and some Franks Hot sauce but the basic recipe is really awesome. One son-in-law always asks me to make it for his birthday. Truth.
      Try the Alpine Chicken as well. Another winner.

      Reply
    17. KIMBERLY STRAWCUTTER says

      April 30, 2019 at 8:18 pm

      Love all the comments but has anyone actually made this??

      Reply
      • Brenda says

        September 18, 2020 at 9:09 am

        We have made several times. Instead of using the i use same amount of taco sauce.

        Reply
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