Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole (Printable version)

Hearty ground beef, beans, potatoes, and corn slow-cooked in savory tomato sauce for 6 hours of comfort.

# What you'll 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

→ Dairy

13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Others

14 - 1/2 cup beef broth

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, approximately 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
02 - Add the cooked beef and onion mixture to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, spreading it evenly.
03 - Arrange the diced potatoes, kidney beans, corn, and diced tomatoes in layers over the beef mixture in the slow cooker insert.
04 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed mushroom soup, beef broth, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt until smooth and well combined.
05 - Pour the soup mixture evenly over all the layered ingredients in the slow cooker, ensuring coverage across the top.
06 - Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW setting for 6 hours, or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a fork.
07 - During the final 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover and allow the cheese to melt completely.
08 - Spoon hot portions into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or sliced green onions if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day
  • It freezes beautifully so you can make ahead for busy weeks
02 -
  • Dice your potatoes into even half-inch pieces so they all finish cooking at the same time
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid during cooking or you will add thirty minutes to the total time
  • The casserole thickens as it cools so do not worry if it looks a bit soupy right when you turn off the cooker
03 -
  • Spray your slow cooker insert with cooking oil before adding ingredients to make cleanup even easier
  • If you want extra texture reserve some cheese to sprinkle right before serving instead of melting it all

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