Description
Hearty slow cooker cowboy casserole delivers robust Western-style comfort through layers of beef, potatoes, and cheese. Rich flavors blend seamlessly, promising a satisfying meal you’ll want to savor with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 cup (120 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 cups (450 g) frozen diced hash brown potatoes or fresh potatoes, cubed
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 300 g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped green onions or parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef with onions in a skillet, draining excess fat and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Slow Cooker Setup: Grease slow cooker interior to prevent ingredient adhesion.
- Layering Foundation: Create strategic ingredient layers by positioning potato chunks as base, spreading seasoned beef uniformly, then distributing kidney beans and tomato pieces across the surface.
- Sauce Development: Blend cream of mushroom soup with milk, incorporating garlic powder, smoked paprika, and half the cheese to create a creamy binding sauce. Pour sauce evenly over layered ingredients.
- Cooking Process: Cover slow cooker and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours, ensuring potatoes become tender and casserole reaches bubbling consistency.
- Cheese Finalization: Sprinkle remaining cheese across the top during final cooking stage, allowing it to melt into a golden, appetizing crust.
- Serving Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped green onions or parsley, then transfer directly to dining table for immediate serving.
Notes
- Meat Browning Mastery: Ensure ground beef is completely browned and excess fat drained to prevent a greasy dish and enhance overall flavor profile.
- Potato Prep Power: Cut potato chunks uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Add cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent burning and achieve a perfectly golden, gooey topping.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option, or use plant-based meat alternatives for vegetarian adaptation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg