Description
This Crock-Pot Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting slow cooker meal featuring ground beef, beans, vegetables, and crispy tater tots topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for an easy family dinner, it combines robust flavors with minimal hands-on cooking time, making it a delicious and convenient choice for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Casserole Base
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Topping
- 3 cups frozen tater tots
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped green onions or parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are softened. Drain off any excess fat to avoid greasiness in the casserole.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the cooked beef mixture to the bottom of a greased slow cooker. Add the undrained diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed beans, drained corn, tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef and vegetable mixture inside the slow cooker. This creates a crispy topping as they cook.
- Cook Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the casserole is bubbling and the tater tots are cooked through and lightly browned.
- Add Cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots. Cover again and continue cooking until the cheese has melted completely.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the cheese is melted, garnish the casserole with chopped green onions or parsley if desired, then serve warm for a comforting, hearty meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a dash of hot sauce or a diced green bell pepper to the meat mixture before cooking.
- This recipe can be made with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly version.
- Make sure to drain excess fat after browning the beef to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Use fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for garnish to add a pop of color and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours (low) or 2 1/2 to 3 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
