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Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 118 reviews

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal with layers of seasoned ground beef, potatoes, kidney beans, tomatoes, and creamy soup, all slow-cooked to perfection. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, this dish combines simple ingredients for a satisfying, warm dinner ideal for busy days.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

Canned Goods and Seasonings

  • 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 10.5 oz. can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom soup)
  • 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. pepper

Dairy

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink, then drain excess fat to avoid greasiness in the casserole.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant, enhancing the flavor base.
  3. Layer Potatoes: Spread an even layer of diced potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker as the base of the casserole.
  4. Add Beef Mixture: Place the cooked ground beef, onion, and garlic mixture over the potatoes evenly.
  5. Layer Beans and Tomatoes: Pour kidney beans and diced tomatoes evenly on top of the beef mixture for additional texture and taste.
  6. Prepare Soup Mixture: In a small bowl, mix cream of chicken soup with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to create a creamy, seasoned sauce.
  7. Pour and Spread Sauce: Pour the soup mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker, spreading with a spatula to coat everything evenly.
  8. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours until potatoes are tender and flavors meld beautifully.
  9. Add Cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole, then cover again to let cheese melt and become bubbly.
  10. Serve: Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, scoop portions into bowls or plates and serve warm.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat or extra beans and use cream of mushroom soup.
  • Ensure potatoes are diced uniformly so they cook evenly in the slow cooker.
  • You can switch cream of chicken soup to cream of mushroom soup for a different flavor profile.
  • If your slow cooker runs hot, check for doneness earlier to avoid overcooking.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat easily.

Keywords: slow cooker casserole, cowboy casserole, ground beef casserole, hearty crockpot meal, comforting dinner, slow cooked potatoes

Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/slow-cooker-cowboy-casserole-recipe/