Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole (Print Version)

A comforting slow-cooked dish with beef, beans, potatoes, and corn in a savory tomato sauce.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cups potatoes, diced
04 - 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained

→ Canned Goods

05 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
06 - 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
07 - 1 can (10 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup

→ Spices & Flavorings

08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1 tsp garlic powder
10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp salt, adjust to taste

→ Dairy

13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional for topping

→ Others

14 - 1/2 cup beef broth

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking until meat is no longer pink. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
02 - Transfer the browned beef mixture to the bottom of your slow cooker insert.
03 - Arrange diced potatoes, drained kidney beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with their juices in even layers over the beef base.
04 - Whisk together the condensed mushroom soup, beef broth, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl until smooth.
05 - Pour the seasoned soup mixture evenly over all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cover with lid and cook on LOW setting for 6 hours until potatoes are fork-tender.
06 - During the final 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top. Cover and allow cheese to melt completely before serving.
07 - Ladle hot portions into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or sliced green onions if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Set it and forget it freedom that leaves you free for literally anything else
  • That magical moment when everything melds into something greater than its parts
  • Budget friendly ingredients that taste like you spent all day cooking
02 -
  • Potato size matters, cut too large and they will still be crunchy when everything else is done
  • The condensation from your lid adds liquid, so do not be tempted to add more broth
  • Every slow cooker runs differently, check at five hours if yours runs hot
03 -
  • Line your slow cooker with a baking liner for cleanup that takes literally ten seconds
  • Sprinkle some extra cheese on individual servings rather than the whole pot if you have picky eaters

Go Back