Description
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and delicious family meal that combines ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, beans, corn, and hash brown potatoes. Cooked low and slow, this casserole is packed with smoky, savory flavors and topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy bacon for a comforting dinner everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups frozen hash brown potatoes
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Dairy and Sauces
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Toppings
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Onion: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is fully browned and the onion is softened. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Seasonings and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Cook for about one more minute until fragrant, stirring to combine well with the beef mixture.
- Drain Excess Grease: Carefully drain any excess fat or grease from the skillet to prevent a greasy casserole.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned beef mixture to the slow cooker. Add the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, drained corn, rinsed kidney beans, and frozen hash brown potatoes. Stir everything together until evenly mixed.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the casserole is heated through and the potatoes are tender.
- Add Cheese: About 20 minutes before serving, stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the casserole.
- Top with Cheese and Bacon: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and the cooked, crumbled bacon on top. Cover the slow cooker to allow the cheese to melt for about 15-20 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh, colorful finish. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- This casserole is perfect for busy days as it requires minimal prep and does all the cooking in the slow cooker.
- You can customize the recipe by swapping kidney beans for black beans or adding other vegetables like bell peppers.
- For a lighter version, ground turkey can replace the ground beef.
- Leftover casserole stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated easily.
