Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole (Printable)
Ground beef, potatoes, beans, and corn slow-cooked in a savory tomato sauce. A hearty, gluten-free comfort food the whole family will love.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound 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 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
06 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with juices
07 - 1 can (10 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
→ Spices & Flavorings
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Dairy
13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Liquids
14 - 1/2 cup beef broth
# How to Cook:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the beef is browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat before proceeding.
02 - Spoon the beef mixture into the bottom of a slow cooker, spreading it evenly across the base.
03 - Arrange the diced potatoes, kidney beans, corn, and diced tomatoes in layers over the beef mixture.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together the condensed mushroom soup, beef broth, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
05 - Drizzle the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the layered ingredients in the slow cooker.
06 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW setting for 6 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
07 - During the final 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and allow to melt completely.
08 - Ladle hot portions onto plates and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Set it and forget it magic that lets you go about your day while dinner cooks itself
- That moment when you lift the slow cooker lid and everyones face lights up
02 -
- I learned the hard way that cutting potatoes too large means they stay crunchy in the center, so aim for uniform half-inch cubes
- Resist stirring everything together at the start. The layers help the flavors develop distinctively as they cook down.
03 -
- Spray your slow cooker insert with cooking spray before adding ingredients. Trust me, cleanup becomes infinitely easier.
- If you want to add more vegetables, bell peppers or zucchini work beautifully. Just add them in with the other layers.