Description
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, family-favorite comfort dish made with ground beef, tender potatoes, sweet corn, kidney beans, tomatoes, and melty cheddar cheese. It’s the perfect one-pot meal for busy nights, meal prep, or when you need something cozy and budget-friendly. Let your slow cooker do the work while you enjoy the delicious reward.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups russet potatoes, diced
1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion and garlic until fully browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Layer the diced potatoes at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
3. Add the cooked beef mixture over the potatoes.
4. Pour in the corn, diced tomatoes, and kidney beans.
5. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder. Gently stir to combine.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
7. In the last 15 minutes, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top, cover, and let it melt.
8. Serve warm, garnished with chopped green onions or parsley if desired.
Notes
For extra heat, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños with the seasonings.
Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian option.
Use sharp cheddar or pepper jack for a more pronounced cheesy flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: cowboy casserole, slow cooker recipes, one-pot meals