Description
Get ready to dig into a hearty, flavor-packed comfort meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, cozy family dinners, or easy dinner ideas that practically cook themselves. This Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is loaded with seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, savory beans, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheddar cheese for a satisfying one-pot meal everyone will love. It’s the kind of easy recipe that doubles as both comfort food and practical meal prep. Whether you’re looking for simple dinner ideas, a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, or filling food ideas for the week, this slow cooker classic delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
4 cups russet potatoes, peeled and diced
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 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
2. Sauté the chopped onion in the same skillet for 2–3 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Lightly grease the slow cooker. Layer half of the diced potatoes on the bottom.
4. Add half of the cooked beef mixture, followed by half of the beans and onions.
5. Repeat the layers with remaining potatoes, beef, and beans.
6. Pour diced tomatoes with juices and tomato sauce evenly over the layers.
7. Sprinkle chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper on top.
8. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
9. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking and cover until melted.
10. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
Browning the beef before adding it to the slow cooker enhances flavor and prevents excess grease in the final dish.
Cut potatoes into evenly sized cubes to ensure consistent cooking and avoid mushy texture.
For extra spice, add diced jalapeños or use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: slow cooker cowboy casserole, easy dinner ideas, comfort food, crockpot meals, hearty casserole, family dinner recipe