Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Making Cozy Dinners Extra Special

Ever wandered into a kitchen filled with the spicy aroma of comfort food that makes you want to pull up a chair and dig in? That’s exactly what you get with this Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole! It’s a hearty blend of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and gooey cheese, all wrapped up in a cozy, creamy embrace. Perfect for those evenings when you need a meal that feels like a warm hug!

Why Make This Recipe

Why wouldn’t you make this recipe? Here are a few reasons that might just convince you:

• Easy Cleanup: You’ll only need one pot! Less time scrubbing dishes means more time enjoying your evening.
• Family-Friendly: Kids love it, and you can sneak in some veggies without them noticing (win-win).
• Budget-Friendly: With affordable ingredients, you’ll be saying “yippee!” instead of “oops” at the grocery store.

Seriously, who doesn’t love a meal that checks all these boxes? 😄

Ingredients

You don’t need fancy stuff — just these basics! Grab your grocery list and check this out:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups diced potatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Time to get cooking! Follow these easy steps for a delicious cowboy casserole:

1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic over medium heat. Don’t forget to drain the excess fat!
2. In the slow cooker, combine the cooked beef with the black beans, diced potatoes, diced tomatoes, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix well.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the potatoes are tender.
4. About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top and cover to let it melt.
5. Serve hot and enjoy your comfort meal!

How to Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole (Overview)

Making this casserole is like a delightful charm! You start by diving into your skillet, giving that ground beef a nice sear along with some aromatic garlic and onion. Then, mix it all together in your trusty slow cooker, where the ingredients mingle like old friends. Remember, letting the cheese melt at the end is what takes this dish from ordinary to extraordinary! Don’t skip that step; it makes all the difference.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Grab your favorite bowl, and load it up! This casserole is a feast for your eyes with its warm, earthy tones and a blanket of melted cheese that calls out for a spoon. Pair it with a light salad for some freshness, and maybe some crunchy tortilla chips for a little extra fun. The aromas wafting from your kitchen will have everyone lining up for their share!

How to Store Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Leftovers? Yes, please! This casserole stays good in the fridge for about 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months — just make sure to cool it completely before popping it into an airtight container. For reheating, simply toss it back into the microwave or stovetop until piping hot. Easy peasy!

Tips to Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

• Add spice: Want to kick it up a notch? Try adding a bit of jalapeño or cayenne.
• Swap potatoes: Substitute with sweet potatoes for a twist on flavor and nutrition.
• Cheese choices: Experiment with different cheeses; pepper jack adds a nice kick!
• Bulk it up: Toss in some corn or bell peppers for extra veggies.

Variation

Feeling adventurous? Go vegan by swapping out ground beef for lentils or crumbled tofu, and use vegan cheese instead. You can even throw in some extra spices to keep it bold and loaded with flavor!

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yep! You can prepare it the night before, just store everything in the slow cooker insert in the fridge and turn it on in the morning.

What can I substitute for ground beef?
You can use ground turkey or even quinoa for a lighter option.

Can I freeze this dish?
Absolutely! Just ensure it’s in an airtight container, and it will keep for about three months in the freezer.

📌 Pin this recipe for your next cozy dinner night!

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

A hearty blend of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and gooey cheese, all wrapped up in a cozy, creamy embrace, perfect for family dinners!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef You can substitute with ground turkey for a lighter option.
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups diced potatoes You can substitute with sweet potatoes for a healthier option.
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend) Pepper jack can also be used for some extra kick.
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder Add spices like jalapeño or cayenne for more heat.
• to taste salt
• to taste pepper

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic over medium heat. Don’t forget to drain the excess fat!
2. In the slow cooker, combine the cooked beef with the black beans, diced potatoes, diced tomatoes, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix well.

Cooking

1. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the potatoes are tender.
2. About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top and cover to let it melt.

Serving

1. Serve hot and enjoy your comfort meal with a light salad or crunchy tortilla chips.

Notes

This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or frozen for later. Leftovers last for about 3-4 days in the fridge and can be reheated in the microwave or stovetop.