Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

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Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6–7 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on
HIGH
Yields: 6–8 servings

Nutrition Facts (per serving – based on 8 servings)

Calories: ~375 kcal
Protein: ~21g
Carbohydrates: ~28g
Fat: ~21g
Saturated Fat: ~9g
Cholesterol: ~65mg
Fiber: ~4g
Sugar: ~5g
Sodium: ~520mg

A close-up of a fork holding a cheesy casserole with ground beef, corn, beans, potatoes, and melted cheese, garnished with parsley on a white plate.

How To Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

A variety of ingredients in bowls on a marble surface, including ground beef, pinto beans, corn, cheese, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, spices, oil, sour cream, cream, and chopped peppers.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 can (15 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 can (15 oz) white beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
  • 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeños (optional, for kick)
  • 1/2 tsp liquid smoke (optional, for that “campfire” flavor)
A slow cooker filled with a cheesy casserole containing ground meat, beans, corn, and vegetables; a serving spoon is lifting a portion out.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Brown the meat:

In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with diced onion and garlic until browned.

  • Raw ground beef is placed in a nonstick frying pan on a marble countertop, with a small bowl of minced garlic visible in the corner.
  • A skillet filled with cooked ground beef sits on a white marble surface, with a small container of minced garlic visible in the corner.
  • A glass bowl of chopped onions hovers above a pan filled with browned ground beef on a marble countertop.
  • A skillet with cooked ground beef and raw chopped onions in the center, on a marble countertop.
  • Chopped garlic is being added to a skillet of cooked ground beef and onions on a marble countertop.
  • A skillet with cooked ground beef topped with chopped onions and minced garlic, on a marble countertop.
  • A skillet with cooked ground beef, topped with chopped onions and minced garlic, on a marble countertop.

Stir in paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.

  • A skillet with cooked ground beef and chopped onions, and a small bowl holding dried herbs and spices placed on top.
  • Ground beef and chopped onions cooking in a skillet with piles of red and green spices on top, shown on a marble surface.
  • A frying pan filled with cooked ground beef and chopped onions on a marble countertop.

Drain excess fat.

2. Mix creamy layer:

In a bowl, stir together sour cream, milk, and 1 cup cheddar cheese.

  • A bowl of thick, white yogurt and a small glass of milk are placed on a light marble surface.
  • A glass bowl of milk is being held above a white bowl filled with thick, creamy yogurt on a marble surface.
  • A white bowl filled with a creamy liquid sits on a marble surface next to a small bowl containing chopped pickles.

Add jalapeños and liquid smoke if using.

  • A small glass bowl of chopped pickles next to a white bowl filled with milk, both on a marble surface.
  • A glass bowl with liquid is being poured into a white bowl containing chopped green chilies and a creamy white substance, on a marble surface.
  • A white bowl containing chopped green chiles in a creamy white liquid, placed on a light marble surface.
  • A bowl of creamy white sauce with visible chunks, next to a bowl of shredded yellow and white cheese on a marble surface.
  • A bowl of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese sits on top of milk in a white bowl, with an additional bowl of shredded cheese nearby on a marble surface.
  • A white bowl containing creamy dip with visible vegetable and cheese pieces sits on a marble surface; shredded cheese is in a separate bowl nearby.

3. Layer in slow cooker:

Start with a layer of potatoes.

A slow cooker with a layer of sliced potatoes inside, next to bowls of diced tomatoes and a creamy white sauce on a marble surface.

Spoon over half of the beef mixture.

A slow cooker filled with cooked ground beef sits on a marble surface, with bowls of diced tomatoes and shredded cheese nearby.

Add half the tomatoes, corn, and beans.

  • A black slow cooker with cooked ground beef and diced tomatoes, next to a white bowl of creamy white sauce on a marble countertop.
  • A black slow cooker filled with corn and diced tomatoes sits on a white marble surface, with a bowl of creamy white mixture and a spoon nearby.
  • A slow cooker filled with pinto beans and corn sits on a marble countertop, with a bowl of shredded cheese nearby.

Dollop and spread half of the creamy mixture.

A slow cooker filled with a layered casserole topped with creamy white sauce, with a bowl of extra sauce and a spoon beside it on a marble surface.

Repeat the layers one more time, finishing with the rest of the cheese on top.

  • Sliced raw potatoes are layered in a black slow cooker, with a bowl of creamy mixture and a spoon beside it on a marble countertop.
  • A black slow cooker filled with cooked ground beef mixture sits on a marble surface, with a bowl of white sauce and a spoon nearby.
  • A black slow cooker filled with ground meat and tomatoes sits on a marble surface, with a bowl of white sauce and a spoon nearby.
  • A black slow cooker filled with uncooked macaroni and cheese topped with shredded cheddar cheese, placed on a white marble surface.

4. Cook:

Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender and everything is bubbly.

A slow cooker filled with a cheesy baked casserole sits on a marble counter, with serving utensils, plates, forks, parsley, and a white napkin nearby.
A slow cooker filled with a baked casserole topped with melted cheese and chopped parsley, next to a serving spoon, plates, and a cutting board with fresh herbs.

5. Serve:

Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Top with chopped scallions or fresh parsley if you want a pop of color.

A spoon lifts a serving of cheesy layered casserole with ground beef, beans, corn, and melted cheese from a crockpot.
A plate of cheesy casserole with ground meat, corn, beans, tomatoes, and melted cheese, garnished with chopped herbs, served on a white dish with a fork.

FAQs

Q: Can I use canned sliced potatoes instead of fresh?

A: Yes, but the texture will be softer. Drain them well and reduce cooking time slightly.

Q: What can I substitute for sour cream?

A: Plain Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative works great.

Q: Can I make this vegetarian?

A: Yes. Omit the beef and double the beans or use lentils for protein.

Q: Can I freeze leftovers?

A: Yes. Cool completely, portion into containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat.

Q: How spicy is it with jalapeños?

A: Mild to medium. For less spice, omit. For more heat, keep seeds or add hot sauce.

A close-up of a cheesy casserole with beans, corn, ground beef, and green peppers topped with melted cheese and chopped parsley in a black dish.
A plate of cheesy casserole topped with melted cheese, ground meat, beans, corn, and chopped parsley.

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Print Recipe
A plate of cheesy casserole with ground meat, beans, corn, and topped with chopped parsley; a cutting board with fresh parsley is in the background.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:6 hours
Total Time:6 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 3 medium potatoes peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 can 15 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 can 15 oz white beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeños optional, for kick
  • 1/2 tsp liquid smoke optional, for that “campfire” flavor

Instructions

  • Brown the meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with diced onion and garlic until browned. Stir in paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Drain excess fat.
  • Mix creamy layer: In a bowl, stir together sour cream, milk, and 1cup cheddar cheese. Add jalapeños and liquid smoke if using.
  • Layer in slow cooker: • Start with a layer of potatoes. • Spoon over half of the beef mixture. • Add half the tomatoes, corn, and beans. • Dollop and spread half of the creamy mixture. • Repeat the layers one more time, finishing with the rest of the cheese on top.
  • Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender and everything is bubbly.
  • Serve: Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Top with chopped scallions or fresh parsley if you want a pop of color.

Notes

Q: Can I use canned sliced potatoes instead of fresh?

A: Yes, but the texture will be softer. Drain them well and reduce cooking time slightly.

Q: What can I substitute for sour cream?

A: Plain Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative works great.

Q: Can I make this vegetarian?

A: Yes. Omit the beef and double the beans or use lentils for protein.

Q: Can I freeze leftovers?

A: Yes. Cool completely, portion into containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat.

Q: How spicy is it with jalapeños?

A: Mild to medium. For less spice, omit. For more heat, keep seeds or add hot sauce.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 375kcal
A close-up of a casserole in a slow cooker, featuring melted cheese on top, with visible beans, corn, and ground meat, garnished with chopped parsley.
A plate of flatbread topped with melted cheese, ground meat, beans, and chopped parsley, served on a white plate with a fork on the side.

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