Description

This Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a cozy night in or a busy weeknight dinner. Packed with tender potatoes, seasoned ground beef, hearty beans, corn, tomatoes, and topped with melted cheddar, this easy dinner idea is a complete one-pot meal. It’s a great choice for easy meal prep, quick comfort food, and filling family dinners that taste even better the next day. Whether you’re looking for slow cooker recipes, hearty dinner ideas, or a simple way to feed a crowd, this cowboy casserole checks all the boxes.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon paprika or chili powder (optional)

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up and cooking until no longer pink. Drain the excess fat.

2. Peel and dice the potatoes. Dice the onion and mince the garlic.

3. Layer half of the potatoes, beef, beans, corn, onions, and garlic in the slow cooker. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

4. Pour the diced tomatoes and cream of mushroom soup over the top. Season with salt, pepper, and optional paprika.

5. Gently stir everything together. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours.

6. About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top and cover again to melt.

7. Serve hot with your favorite sides like cornbread, garlic bread, or a fresh green salad.

Notes

For a leaner version, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.

If using a spicier tomato blend like Rotel, reduce added seasoning to balance heat.

Always let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to thicken naturally.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7–8 hours
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 420
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 640mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: cowboy casserole, slow cooker, easy dinner, comfort food, one-pot meal