Description
This Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, potatoes, beans, corn, and tomato sauce, slow-cooked to perfection. Topped with melted cheese and optional garnishes of sour cream and chives, it’s an easy, flavorful dish perfect for busy days and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 cups potatoes, chopped (Russet or Yukon Gold recommended)
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 cup shredded cheese, for topping
- Sour cream, for garnish
- Chopped chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Chop the potatoes into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking throughout the casserole.
- Layer the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Begin by placing the chopped potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker. Next, add a layer of the browned ground beef. Then sprinkle an even layer of kidney beans and corn on top. Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the layers, then sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to season. Repeat the layering if your slow cooker has space, making sure ingredients are evenly distributed for consistent flavor and cooking.
- Cook the Casserole: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. The casserole is done when the potatoes are tender and flavors have melded together.
- Add Cheese Topping: About 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover the slow cooker again to allow the cheese to melt thoroughly.
- Serve and Garnish: Once the cheese has melted, serve the casserole hot, optionally garnished with dollops of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped chives for added flavor and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute kidney beans with black beans or pinto beans if preferred.
- Adjust seasoning salt according to taste, especially if using salted tomato sauce.
- For a spicier dish, add cayenne pepper or chili flakes along with the other spices.
- If you prefer, you can brown the beef directly in the slow cooker using the sauté function before layering.
- This casserole reheats well and makes great leftovers for the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
