Description

Come home to the ultimate comfort food with this easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole. Packed with ground beef, tender potatoes, beans, sweet corn, tomatoes, and topped with gooey melted cheese, this hearty one-pot meal is a cozy dinner hero for busy families. It’s perfect for meal prep, makes wonderful leftovers, and is loved by kids and adults alike. Ideal for weeknights, potlucks, or whenever you need a satisfying, budget-friendly meal. Try it for an easy dinner idea, a quick set-and-forget main course, or as a make-ahead family recipe!

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup corn (frozen or canned, drained)

1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices

1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

1 cup beef broth

1 tablespoon chili powder

Salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned and cooked through. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté until onion is translucent. Drain any excess fat.

2. Lightly grease the slow cooker insert. Add diced potatoes, browned beef with onions and garlic, corn, kidney beans, diced tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine everything evenly.

3. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours, or on high for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are tender and flavors are well blended.

4. About 10 minutes before serving, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole. Cover and let it melt.

5. Just before serving, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for ground beef.

You can add bell peppers, jalapeños, or carrots for extra color and nutrition.

This casserole freezes well—cool completely before portioning and freezing in airtight containers.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
Category: Dinner, Main Course, Casserole
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 430
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 870mg
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0.6g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 29g
Cholesterol: 82mg

Keywords: slow cooker casserole, cowboy casserole, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, comfort food