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crockpot cowboy casserole

Crockpot Cowboy Casserole

This Crockpot Cowboy Casserole is hearty, budget-friendly comfort food made easy! With ground beef, potatoes, beans, corn, and tomatoes slow cooked to perfection under a layer of melted cheddar cheese, this one-pot dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. It's like a cozy mix of chili and loaded baked potatoes—all made in your slow cooker!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
  • 3-4 medium potatoes, sliced ¼ inch thick
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) diced tomatoes
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup beef stock (or chicken stock)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional for heat)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Equipment

  • skillet
  • Slow cooker (3–6 quart)
  • cutting board and knife
  • spatula or spoon
  • Cheese grater

Method
 

  1. Peel and dice the onion, mince garlic, slice potatoes into ¼-inch rounds, and dice the bell pepper. Have all ingredients ready before starting.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef for 5–7 minutes until browned. Drain any excess grease.
  3. Add diced onion and garlic to the beef and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
  4. Transfer beef mixture to your slow cooker. Add sliced potatoes, diced tomatoes, bell pepper, corn, beef stock, and all seasonings. Stir to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours or LOW for 6–8 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
  6. Once potatoes are tender, stir in drained kidney beans. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, cover, and cook for 10–15 minutes until melted.
  7. Serve hot straight from the slow cooker. Garnish with green onions, sour cream, or fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

Pro Tips:
• Brown beef before slow cooking for richer flavor.
• Slice potatoes evenly to ensure they cook through.
• Avoid lifting the lid—each peek adds 30 minutes!
• Use lean ground beef to prevent excess grease.
• Add beans at the end so they stay firm.
Storage:
Refrigerate up to 4 days in airtight containers or freeze for up to 6 months. Reheat in microwave, stovetop, or slow cooker until hot.

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