Effortless Comfort: The Ultimate Crockpot Ground Beef Casserole Recipe
Searching for an easy, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful meal that practically cooks itself? Look no further than this fantastic Crockpot Ground Beef Casserole! This recipe takes simple ingredients like seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, sweet corn, savory onions, and vibrant peppers, then slow cooks them to perfection, finishing with a generous layer of irresistible melty cheese. It’s the ideal solution for busy weeknights when you crave a hearty, home-cooked dish without all the fuss.
Why This Slow Cooker Ground Beef Casserole Is a Must-Try
This crockpot ground beef casserole is designed for ultimate convenience and flavor. It’s a true “dump-and-go” meal, meaning most of your ingredients go right into the slow cooker, allowing it to do all the hard work while you go about your day. If you’re familiar with my popular Ground Beef Casserole recipe, you’ll love this slow cooker version even more for its hands-off approach.
We’ve retained all the delicious components of the original – the rich ground beef, vibrant vegetables, savory seasonings, and luscious cheese – but adapted it for the slow cooker. This means you get the same incredible taste and comforting texture, but with significantly less effort and cleanup. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a deep, satisfying taste that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s truly a game-changer for busy households looking for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner solution.
Related Recipe – Hearty Ground Beef Stroganoff
Gather Your Ingredients for This Simple Casserole
This recipe calls for a handful of common pantry staples and fresh ingredients, making it an accessible meal for any home cook. You can find all specific measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Easy Substitutions
Part of what makes this crockpot ground beef casserole so fantastic is its adaptability. Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients and how you can tailor them to your preferences:
MEAT – While ground beef is the star, feel free to switch things up! You can easily use lean ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option. For those who enjoy game meats, ground venison or bison make excellent, flavorful alternatives. For an extra kick of flavor, try mixing ground Italian sausage with your ground beef or turkey – the fennel and spices in the sausage complement the casserole beautifully.
TOMATOES & CHILIES – The recipe calls for diced tomatoes with green chiles already added, such as Red Gold brand. If these aren’t available in your local grocery store, don’t worry! Simply use a regular can of diced tomatoes (undrained for the liquid) and add a separate 4-ounce can of mild diced green chiles. This ensures you still get that signature zesty flavor profile without compromising on convenience.
VEGETABLES – An orange bell pepper is suggested for its sweet flavor and vibrant color, but a red bell pepper works just as well. If you’re not a fan of bell peppers or don’t have one on hand, you can omit it entirely. For the corn, frozen corn is convenient, but a can of drained corn can be used in its place. This recipe is also incredibly forgiving to other vegetable additions like drained canned black beans, frozen green beans, or even small cubed potatoes (added at the beginning with the other vegetables).
CHEESE – The cream cheese is a crucial component that adds an incredible richness and creamy texture to the sauce, so I highly recommend including it. For the shredded cheese, a pre-shredded Mexican cheese blend is a time-saver. However, if you have specific cheese preferences, go for it! A combination of sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese is always a winning choice, providing both robust flavor and excellent meltability. Freshly shredded cheese often melts smoother than pre-shredded, so consider grating your own for the best results if time allows.
PASTA – Macaroni pasta is classic for casseroles, but other small-to-medium pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or even small shells would work beautifully. The key is to add the pasta uncooked towards the end of the cooking time, allowing it to absorb the flavorful sauce and cook perfectly al dente directly in the crockpot.
How to Make This Irresistible Crockpot Ground Beef Casserole
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe successfully. For the complete, printable version of this recipe, including all measurements and detailed instructions, simply jump to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no pink remains. This crucial step helps drain excess fat, ensuring your casserole isn’t greasy and the beef has a better texture. Once browned, make sure to drain the beef thoroughly.
- Carefully transfer the drained ground beef into the bottom of your crockpot. Distribute it evenly across the bottom.
- Sprinkle all the seasonings (red pepper flakes, steak seasoning, dried oregano, chili powder) directly over the browned ground beef. This ensures the beef absorbs all the wonderful flavors as it cooks.
- Now, add the remaining ingredients: the diced orange pepper, diced onion, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes & green chilies, frozen corn, cream cheese, one cup of your Mexican cheese blend, and beef broth. Layering them helps ensure even cooking.
- Stir all the ingredients gently to combine them well, ensuring the cream cheese is broken up and distributed. Place the lid securely on your crockpot and cook on the LOW setting for 6 hours. This slow cooking time allows all the flavors to deepen and vegetables to tenderize.
- Once the 6 hours are up, remove the lid and add the uncooked macaroni pasta to the crockpot. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid. This is key for it to cook properly.
- Recover the crockpot and allow the pasta to cook for an additional 20 minutes, or until it’s tender but still has a slight bite (al dente). Stir once or twice during this time to prevent sticking.
- Finally, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top of the casserole. Recover the crockpot for another 5-10 minutes, just until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for a burst of fresh flavor and color. Serve hot and enjoy your effortless, comforting meal!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success
Leftover crockpot ground beef casserole stores beautifully! Simply transfer any remaining portions into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. For easy meal prep, portion it into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches or dinners. To reheat, you can microwave individual servings until heated through, or for larger amounts, warm in an oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) until bubbly and hot, adding a splash of beef broth or water if it seems dry.
Absolutely! While it might seem like an extra step, browning the ground beef beforehand is highly recommended. This process allows you to drain off excess fat, preventing your casserole from becoming greasy and watery. Even with leaner ground beef or alternative meats like ground turkey, browning first significantly improves the final texture and flavor of the meat, giving it a slightly caramelized edge that slow cooking alone can’t achieve. You don’t need to cook it through entirely, just enough to get some color and drain the fat.
This recipe is incredibly adaptable! Feel free to customize it with your favorite additions. A can of black beans (drained and rinsed) adds a wonderful textural and nutritional boost. You can also incorporate more veggies like diced zucchini, frozen green peas, chopped spinach (stirred in at the end), or even small cubed potatoes (added at the start with the other vegetables). For an extra depth of flavor, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika or a pinch of cumin alongside the other seasonings.
No, there’s no need to pre-cook the pasta for this recipe! That’s one of the beauties of this slow cooker casserole. The uncooked pasta is added directly to the crockpot after the initial cooking time (Step 6), where it will cook perfectly in the flavorful sauce. This method ensures the pasta absorbs all the delicious juices, resulting in a tender, flavorful, and perfectly integrated component of the casserole. Adding it too early might lead to mushy pasta, so timing is key here.
Yes, this casserole freezes well! Once completely cooled, transfer portions into freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the microwave or oven as described for leftovers. The texture of the pasta might be slightly softer after freezing and thawing, but the flavors will still be delicious.
Cooking times can vary slightly between slow cooker models, especially older ones. It’s always a good idea to know your appliance. If your crockpot tends to cook hot, you might check for doneness around 5-5.5 hours. If it cooks slower, it might need a bit more time. The 6-hour mark on low is a good average. Always ensure the ground beef is fully cooked and the pasta is tender before serving.
Delicious Ways to Serve Your Casserole
This Crockpot Ground Beef Casserole is a hearty meal all on its own, thanks to the satisfying combination of pasta and ground beef. However, a few simple additions can elevate your dining experience. A side of warm, crusty garlic bread or a fluffy cornbread muffin is perfect for soaking up every last bit of the rich sauce. A crisp, fresh dinner salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the casserole’s richness. For extra flavor and presentation, don’t forget the garnishes! A dollop of cool sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, in addition to the chopped green onions, can add a vibrant finishing touch.
Explore More Easy Crockpot Recipes
If you loved the ease and flavor of this slow cooker casserole, you’ll be thrilled to discover more of my favorite crockpot creations. The slow cooker is a busy home cook’s best friend!
- Crockpot Lasagna
- Crockpot Roast Beef
- Crockpot Beef Burgundy
- Crockpot Sticky Chicken
- Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
- Crockpot Mexican Chicken
- Crockpot Corned Beef
I absolutely love sharing my passion for baking and cooking, along with all my kitchen experiences, with you! It can be challenging to remember to check back every day for new recipes, which is why I offer a convenient newsletter delivered right to your inbox every time a new recipe is posted. Simply subscribe today and start receiving your free daily recipes to inspire your next meal!
Crockpot Ground Beef Casserole
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef browned and drained
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp steak seasoning
- 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 cup onion diced
- ½ cup orange bell pepper diced
- 16 oz tomato sauce
- 10 oz can of Red Gold Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend
- 16 oz macaroni pasta
Things You’ll Need
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Skillet
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5-6 qt Crockpot
Before You Begin – Important Tips
- While Red Gold diced tomatoes with green chiles are specified, if unavailable, simply use a regular 10 oz can of diced tomatoes and add a 4-ounce can of mild diced green chiles for the same great flavor.
- Feel free to customize your meat! Ground turkey, chicken, venison, or bison can all be substituted for ground beef. For an extra flavor boost, try mixing ground Italian sausage with your preferred ground meat.
- The cream cheese is crucial for the casserole’s creamy texture; do not skip it. A Mexican cheese blend is convenient, but any combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese will provide excellent flavor and melt.
- Browning the ground beef first, even if it’s lean, is highly recommended to drain excess fat and improve meat texture and flavor.
- Add the pasta uncooked towards the end of the cooking time to ensure it cooks perfectly al dente and absorbs the delicious sauce without becoming mushy.
Instructions
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In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no pink remains. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
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Place the drained ground beef evenly in the bottom of your crockpot.
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Sprinkle all the seasonings (red pepper flakes, steak seasoning, dried oregano, chili powder) over the ground beef.
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Add the orange pepper, onion, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes & green chilies, frozen corn, cream cheese, 1 cup of Mexican cheese, and beef broth to the crockpot.
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Stir all ingredients well to combine. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
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After 6 hours, remove the lid and add the uncooked macaroni pasta to the crockpot. Stir to ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid.
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Recover the crockpot and allow the pasta to cook for an additional 20 minutes, or until tender.
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Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the casserole, cover, and let it melt for 5-10 minutes.
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Garnish with chopped green onions before serving. Enjoy your delicious crockpot 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.