Description
Cowboys love this hearty slow cooker cowboy casserole packed with ground beef, potatoes, and beans. Simple ingredients create a comforting midwest dinner you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, sliced
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
Beans and Tomatoes:
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) diced tomatoes
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly draining any excess fat to ensure a lean base for the casserole.
- Create a foundational layer of thinly sliced potatoes across the entire bottom of the slow cooker, covering the surface completely.
- Distribute the cooked ground beef evenly over the potato layer, creating a uniform meat foundation.
- Carefully scatter beans, diced tomatoes, and chopped onions across the beef, ensuring balanced distribution of ingredients.
- Gently spread cream of mushroom soup over the vegetable and meat mixture, creating a smooth, creamy coating.
- Season the entire casserole with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, sprinkling evenly to guarantee consistent flavor throughout.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and cook on low temperature for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and tenderize.
- During the final 30 minutes of cooking, generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top, letting it melt and create a golden, bubbling surface.
- Once cooking is complete, serve immediately while hot, allowing the rich, hearty flavors to shine.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease pooling in the casserole, ensuring a lighter, less oily texture.
- Consider using lean ground beef or ground turkey for a healthier protein option with reduced fat content.
- Slice potatoes uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the dish.
- Top with crispy bacon bits or green onions just before serving for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 5 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 362 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg