Description
Few meals capture the comfort and heartiness of classic American home cooking like Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole. Packed with tender potatoes, savory ground beef, creamy beans, and melted cheese, this hearty one-pot meal offers deep flavor and effortless preparation. Perfect for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or meal prep, this dish is a wholesome comfort food favorite you’ll make again and again.
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs (680 g) lean ground beef (90%)
6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 2 lbs / 900 g)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz / 425 g) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup (240 ml) milk
1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup (150 g) frozen corn kernels (optional)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp chili powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil (for browning beef)
Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Drain excess fat.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, smoked paprika, and chili powder until smooth.
Step 3: Layer the Ingredients
Grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker. Layer half of the potatoes, half of the beef, onions, beans, corn, and tomatoes. Pour half of the soup mixture on top. Repeat the layers, finishing with 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Step 4: Cook
Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are tender and the sauce is thickened.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top 15 minutes before serving. Cover to melt. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions before serving.
Notes
Slice potatoes evenly for consistent cooking.
Drain beans and beef well to avoid excess liquid.
Add cheese at the end to maintain creamy texture.
Add a splash of milk when reheating to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course / Casserole
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Slow cooker cowboy casserole, crockpot cowboy casserole, beef casserole, easy family dinner, one-pot comfort food