This Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is the definition of down-home comfort food. It’s a stick-to-your-ribs, family-friendly meal made with layers of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, hearty beans, corn, and melty cheese — all cooked low and slow in your crockpot until everything is bubbling and delicious.
Perfect for busy weeknights or cold-weather dinners, this dump-and-go dish is easy to prep, packed with protein, and guaranteed to fill up hungry bellies. Think of it as chili meets cheesy hash brown casserole, and yes, it’s just as satisfying as it sounds!
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4–5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), undrained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Brown the beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with the diced onion until browned and cooked through. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Drain excess fat.
2. Prepare the slow cooker
Spray the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Layer the ingredients
To the slow cooker, add the diced potatoes, cooked beef mixture, corn, beans, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes with green chiles, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything to combine.
4. Cook
Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
5. Finish with cheese and sour cream
About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the sour cream and half the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover, and let it melt.
6. Serve
Garnish with parsley or green onions and serve warm with cornbread, tortillas, or on its own!
🍽 Nutrition Info (per serving – serves 6)
- Calories: 490
- Protein: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
Nutrition may vary depending on specific brands and ingredient adjustments.
✅ Tips & Variations
- Swap the protein: Use ground turkey or sausage for a twist.
- Add veggies: Toss in bell peppers or frozen peas for extra color and nutrition.
- Make it spicy: Use hot Rotel and add jalapeños or cayenne pepper.
- No cream of mushroom? Sub cream of chicken or use a homemade white sauce.
- Crispy topping: Serve with crushed tortilla chips or crispy fried onions on top.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
- Pair with cornbread, garlic toast, or a simple green salad
- Great with pickled jalapeños or hot sauce on the side
- Serve with sweet tea or sparkling water with lime
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