Looking for a meal that’s hearty, comforting, and practically cooks itself? This Crockpot Cowboy Casserole is just the thing. Imagine coming home to a bubbling, cheesy casserole that’s filled with ground beef, corn, beans, and all the flavors of a cowboy’s feast—without breaking a sweat. Trust me, this one’s a crowd-pleaser, and the best part is, you just throw everything into the Crockpot and let it do its magic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Crockpot Cowboy Casserole isn’t just easy; it’s packed with flavors that’ll make everyone at the table go “wow.” Here’s why you’ll fall head over heels for it:
Hands-Off Cooking: The Crockpot does all the hard work, which means you can go about your day while the casserole slowly turns into a delicious, comforting meal.
Flavor Explosion: With layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, and a touch of spice, this casserole is a flavor bomb that’s perfect for anyone who loves hearty meals.
One-Pot Wonder: Less cleanup? Yes, please! You only need your Crockpot, and maybe a serving spoon, for a meal that’ll feed the whole family.
Customizable: You can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste. Don’t like beans? No problem! Want to add more heat? Go for it. This casserole is all about making it your own.
Great for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and enjoy it for days. It stores well in the fridge and can even be frozen for later.
Ingredients
This casserole is made with simple ingredients that you can easily find in your pantry or fridge:
Ground Beef: The base of this casserole, providing savory, meaty goodness.
Frozen Corn: Adds a touch of sweetness and texture that balances the other flavors.
Black Beans: A hearty addition that adds protein and a nice creamy texture when cooked.
Tater Tots: The crispy, golden topping that makes this casserole truly irresistible.
Cheddar Cheese: Melty, gooey cheese makes everything better, right?
Cream of Mushroom Soup: For a creamy, comforting base that brings everything together.
Taco Seasoning: Adds that signature Mexican flavor and a little bit of spice.
Instructions
Here’s how to get this cowboy casserole cooking:
Brown the Beef: In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain off any excess fat.
Mix the Ingredients: In the Crockpot, combine the browned beef, frozen corn, black beans, cream of mushroom soup, and taco seasoning. Stir everything together until well combined.
Top with Tater Tots: Spread the frozen tater tots evenly over the top of the casserole mixture.
Cook on Low: Cover the Crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Add the Cheese: In the last 10 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Serve and Enjoy: Once everything is cooked and cheesy, scoop it onto plates and serve hot. Enjoy the perfect cowboy casserole!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Calories per serving: 450 (varies depending on specific ingredients)
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4-6 hours (in the Crockpot)
Total Time: 4-6 hours
How to Serve Crockpot Cowboy Casserole
This casserole is hearty enough to be served on its own, but here are a few ideas to round out your meal:
Fresh Salad: A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is a perfect contrast to the richness of the casserole.
Cornbread: If you want to go full cowboy, serve with a slice of warm, buttery cornbread for that extra comfort.
Sour Cream and Salsa: Add a dollop of sour cream or a spoonful of salsa on top of your casserole for an extra creamy or tangy kick.
Additional Tips
Here are some tips to help you make the most of this Crockpot Cowboy Casserole:
Brown the Beef First: Browning the beef before adding it to the Crockpot will give the casserole a deeper, richer flavor.
Customize Your Veggies: If you want to add other veggies, feel free to throw in some bell peppers, onions, or even jalapeños for extra flavor.
Use Different Toppings: Feel free to swap out the tater tots for frozen hash browns or even tortilla chips for a different take.
Leftover Storage: This casserole stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat it in the microwave or oven for a quick meal.
Freeze for Later: Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months. Just defrost and reheat when you’re craving comfort food.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
A1: Yes! You can assemble everything in the Crockpot insert, cover, and store it in the fridge overnight. Cook it the next day when you’re ready to eat.
Q2: Can I use a different kind of cheese?
A2: Absolutely! If you prefer a different cheese, like Monterey Jack or pepper jack, go ahead and swap it in. It’ll still be delicious!
Q3: Can I make this casserole without beans?
A3: Sure! If you’re not a fan of beans, you can leave them out or substitute with another veggie like diced zucchini or bell peppers.
Q4: Can I use fresh corn instead of frozen?
A4: Yes, fresh corn will work just as well! Just make sure to cook it first before adding it to the casserole.
Q5: How do I store leftovers?
A5: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven when you’re ready to eat.
Q6: Can I freeze this casserole?
A6: Yes! You can freeze the casserole for up to 3 months. Just defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven or Crockpot.
Q7: Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
A7: Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great substitute and will still give you a tasty, lighter version of this casserole.
Q8: How long does it take to cook this casserole on high in the Crockpot?
A8: If you’re in a rush, you can cook it on high for 2-3 hours instead of 4-6 hours on low.
Q9: Can I add more spice to the casserole?
A9: Definitely! You can add extra chili powder, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños for a little more heat.
Q10: Can I make this casserole vegetarian?
A10: Yes! You can omit the ground beef and add extra beans or veggies for a vegetarian-friendly version.
Conclusion
This Crockpot Cowboy Casserole is everything you could want in a meal—easy to make, hearty, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or prepping for a busy week ahead, this dish is sure to be a winner. Just set it and forget it, and you’ll have a delicious, comforting meal waiting for you when you’re ready. Enjoy!
Print
Crockpot Cowboy Casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crockpot Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish that combines seasoned ground beef, potatoes, corn, and cheese into a one-pot wonder. It’s the perfect healthy dinner recipe for busy nights, as it’s easy to prepare, and the crockpot does all the work. This comforting casserole is sure to please the whole family with its savory flavors and satisfying ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 2 cups frozen corn kernels
- 4 medium potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or use a healthier homemade version)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning the beef)
- Optional toppings: green onions, shredded cheese, or bacon bits
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, and cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, breaking the beef apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- Prepare the casserole: Transfer the cooked beef and onions into the crockpot. Add the diced potatoes, frozen corn, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream until everything is well-coated.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
- Add cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole and cover to allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve: Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, serve hot. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions or bacon bits.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add chopped green chilies or jalapeños to the casserole.
- For a lighter version, use lean ground turkey or chicken in place of ground beef.
- You can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with a healthier homemade cream of mushroom or a lighter soup option.
- This casserole can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it great for meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg