Hearty & Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole: The Ultimate Family Dinner
Prepare to discover your new favorite family meal with this incredible Cowboy Casserole! This dish is a simple yet incredibly hearty and satisfying meal that effortlessly brings comfort to your dinner table. What makes this recipe truly special is its adaptability. We purposefully keep the base seasoning simple, allowing you the freedom to infuse it with your favorite herbs and spices. Whether you prefer a classic blend of salt and pepper or want to add a Southwestern kick, this easy cowboy casserole is designed to be customized to your family’s taste.
Why This Cowboy Casserole is a Timeless Favorite
I first crafted this Cowboy Casserole recipe several years ago, and it quickly became one of the most popular dishes on this blog. Its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity and the wonderfully comforting outcome. Recently, I revisited this classic, making it for dinner, and immediately remembered why it’s such a hit! It masterfully combines basic, affordable ingredients to create a warm, deeply satisfying meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent.
RELATED – Our crockpot mac and cheese is simple and you don’t have to boil the noodles!
The Magic of Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for Busy Weeknights
This slow cooker cowboy casserole is an absolute lifesaver for those hectic evenings when time is short but you still want a homemade meal. Think busy soccer game nights, dance recitals, or any evening where you’re juggling multiple activities. The beauty of cooking this casserole in a crockpot is the hands-off approach; you simply layer the ingredients, set it, and let it slow cook to perfection throughout the day. This means less stress in the kitchen and more quality time with your family.
Customizing Your Hearty Cowboy Casserole
One of the best aspects of this hearty cowboy casserole is its incredible versatility. While the recipe calls for ground beef, you can easily substitute it with ground turkey or chicken if you prefer a leaner option or a different flavor profile. I’ve personally tried it with both and found it equally delicious. When it comes to potatoes, Russet potatoes offer a classic, starchy texture that soaks up the flavors beautifully, but red-skinned potatoes also work wonderfully, adding a slightly firmer bite and a pop of color. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other potato varieties like Yukon Golds or even thinly sliced sweet potatoes for a unique twist.
Beyond the main ingredients, you can truly make this dish your own. Consider adding a can of drained corn or a handful of frozen peas or green beans for extra vegetables and nutrients. For an extra layer of flavor and richness, a sprinkle of cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese during the last hour of cooking can elevate the dish to new heights. If you’re a fan of a bit of heat, a dash of chili powder, a pinch of smoked paprika, or a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce can add a delightful kick to your homemade cowboy casserole.
Tips for an Even Easier Slow Cooker Casserole
This easy slow cooker casserole is designed for convenience, but a little meal prep can make it even simpler. The only real pre-cooking step required is browning the ground beef. To save time on busy cooking days, I often brown several pounds of ground beef ahead of time. Once cooked and drained, I portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze it. Then, when I’m ready to make this crockpot cowboy casserole, I just pull out the pre-cooked beef, layer it with the other ingredients in the crockpot, and let the slow cooker do the rest. Cook it on LOW for 7 to 9 hours for a tender, deeply flavored result, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours if you’re in a bit more of a hurry.
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Essential Ingredients for Your Popular Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating this popular and delicious slow cooker cowboy casserole. This recipe emphasizes simplicity, relying on pantry staples and fresh components that come together harmoniously in your crockpot. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1½ pounds ground chuck, browned and drained
- 6 medium potatoes, sliced (Russet or red-skinned recommended)
- 1 can (15 oz) red beans, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes mixed with 2 tablespoons flour OR 1 can (10 oz) tomato soup
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste (or your favorite blend of seasonings like chili powder, cumin, or smoked paprika)
- A reliable slow cooker (6-quart or larger is ideal for this recipe)
You can find the full printable recipe card with exact measurements and instructions below, complete with nutrition information to help you plan your meals effectively!
More Comforting Ground Beef Recipes to Explore
If you love the versatility and flavor of ground beef, you’re in luck! Ground beef is a staple in many kitchens, offering endless possibilities for quick, budget-friendly, and delicious meals. This cowboy casserole with ground beef is just one fantastic example. If you’re looking for more creative ideas to utilize this kitchen hero, I have quite a few ground beef recipes here that are perfect for any night of the week. Or, you can browse a few of my personal favorites below:
- Taco Bell Enchirito Copycat: Recreate a beloved fast-food favorite at home!
- Southwest Ground Beef Casserole: Another hearty casserole with a vibrant, spicy twist.
- Salisbury Steaks: A classic comfort food, perfect with mashed potatoes and gravy.
- The Best Meatloaf Recipe Ever: A tried-and-true family favorite that never disappoints.
- 15-Minute Soft Taco Dinner – from 100 Directions: Super quick and perfect for those super busy evenings.
And here’s a bonus: this crockpot dinner is kid-friendly and family-approved, making it a stress-free option for even the pickiest eaters!
Cowboy Casserole
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 ½ pounds ground chuck browned and drained
- 30 oz potatoes about 6 medium, sliced (Russet or red-skinned recommended)
- 15 oz can red beans drained
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 10 oz can tomato soup (as an alternative to diced tomatoes and flour)
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
Instructions
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Begin by layering your ingredients in the slow cooker. First, spread the chopped onion evenly across the bottom. Next, add a layer of your browned and drained ground beef. Follow with the sliced potatoes and then the drained red beans. Finally, spread the can of diced tomatoes (mixed with 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken, if using) or the can of tomato soup over all the layers. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or your preferred blend of seasonings. Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 7 to 9 hours for optimal tenderness, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours if you need it ready sooner. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious homemade cowboy casserole!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.