Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole (Printable)
Hearty beef and vegetable casserole slow-cooked with potatoes, beans, and corn in a rich tomato sauce.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cups potatoes, diced
04 - 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained
→ Canned Goods
05 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
06 - 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
07 - 1 can (10 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
→ Spices & Flavorings
08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1 tsp garlic powder
10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp salt, adjust to taste
→ Dairy
13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional for topping
→ Broth
14 - 1/2 cup beef broth
# Steps:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook until beef is browned and no longer pink, breaking apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
02 - Transfer the beef mixture to the base of a slow cooker.
03 - Arrange diced potatoes, kidney beans, corn, and diced tomatoes in even layers over the beef mixture.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together condensed cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
05 - Pour the soup mixture evenly over all ingredients. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 6 hours, or until potatoes are fork-tender.
06 - During the final 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and allow cheese to melt completely.
07 - Serve hot. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or sliced green onions if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Dump everything in one glorious layer and walk away for six hours while your kitchen fills with the kind of smell that makes neighbors linger in the hallway hoping for an invitation
- Something magical happens when those potatoes simmer slowly in tomato and beef broth instead of getting rushed in an oven
02 -
- The first time I made this, I cut the potatoes too small and they completely dissolved, turning everything into mashed potato stew, which was actually still delicious
- Resist the urge to stir before the six hours are up, because the layers need that undisturbed time to develop their texture
03 -
- Spray your slow cooker insert with cooking oil before layering, or you will spend twenty minutes soaking it later
- If your potatoes are still slightly firm at six hours, give it another thirty minutes, every slow cooker runs a little differently