Description
This Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, family-friendly dinner loaded with tender potatoes, saucy seasoned ground beef, beans, corn and melty cheddar, all made right in the crockpot for an easy recipe and quick dinner idea that practically cooks itself on busy weeknights and earns a permanent spot in your comfort-food dinner ideas list.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes cut into 1-inch chunks
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chiles undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) corn kernels drained
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Colby Jack cheese
1/2 red bell pepper diced for topping
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or green onions for garnish
Sour cream for serving optional
Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion and cook, breaking the meat apart with a spatula, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.
2. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until fragrant.
3. Sprinkle the chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper over the beef mixture. Stir well to coat, then add the Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to blend the flavors, then remove from the heat.
4. Lightly grease a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the potato chunks in an even layer on the bottom of the crock.
5. Top the potatoes with the drained kidney beans and corn, then pour the diced tomatoes with green chiles (and their juices) over the top. Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly over everything. Gently stir once or twice to combine without breaking up the potatoes too much.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
7. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top, cover, and cook on LOW for 10 to 15 minutes more, until the cheese is completely melted.
8. Top with diced red bell pepper and chopped parsley or green onions. Serve hot, with a dollop of sour cream on each serving if desired.
Notes
Cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks and avoid over-stirring the casserole near the end of cooking—this helps the potatoes hold their shape and keeps the texture hearty instead of mushy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 980
- Fat: 31
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 44
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 33
- Cholesterol: 115
Keywords: slow cooker cowboy casserole, crockpot casserole, easy dinner, ground beef and potatoes, family comfort food, dinner ideas, comfort food recipe