Description
This hearty Crock-Pot Cowboy Casserole is a comforting slow-cooked dish that combines lean ground beef, sliced Russet potatoes, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and creamy mushroom soup, all seasoned with garlic, onion, and spices. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, it makes for an easy, flavorful meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef, browned, crumbled, and drained
- 6 medium Russet potatoes, washed and sliced
- 16 ounces canned kidney beans, undrained (low sodium preferred)
- 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes, undrained
- 10.5 ounces canned cream of mushroom soup
- 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: Prepare the ingredients by browning, crumbling, and draining the ground beef. Wash and slice the Russet potatoes, dice the onion, and mince the garlic.
- Combine in Slow Cooker: In a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, combine the browned ground beef, sliced potatoes, canned kidney beans (with liquid), diced tomatoes (with liquid), cream of mushroom soup, diced onion, minced garlic, kosher salt, dried oregano, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 8 hours. This slow cooking method allows the flavors to meld and the potatoes to become tender.
- Add Cheese: Once the initial cooking is complete, uncover the slow cooker and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Recover the slow cooker.
- Melt Cheese: Continue cooking for an additional 1 hour to allow the cheese to melt and incorporate into the dish, creating a creamy, cheesy topping.
- Serve: After the cheese has melted, uncover and serve the Cowboy Casserole warm. Enjoy this filling and flavorful slow cooker meal!
Notes
- For a lower sodium option, use low-sodium canned beans and diced tomatoes.
- You can brown the ground beef in advance to save cooking time.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper.
- This recipe can be doubled if using a larger slow cooker.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
