If you’re craving a cozy, hearty, family-friendly dish that practically cooks itself, this Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is the perfect comfort meal. Loaded with tender potatoes, melty cheese, savory ground beef, beans, corn, and a creamy tomato sauce, it’s everything you love about classic casseroles—made even easier in the slow cooker. This recipe transforms simple pantry staples into one of the most satisfying slow cooker meals you’ll ever make. Whether you know it as a cowboy casserole recipe or simply your new favorite crockpot recipe, it’s guaranteed to become part of your regular dinner rotation.
️ Roadmap
This guide walks you through everything you need to know:
Why Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Ingredients Needed
How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
Serving Suggestions
Helpful Tips
FAQs
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients
- 1 lb 450 g ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 –4 cups potatoes thinly sliced
- 1 can 15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can 15 oz corn, drained
- 1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil optional
Instructions
- Brown the Beef
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until browned.
- Drain excess fat.
- Prepare Sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Layer the Casserole
- Lightly grease the slow cooker.
- Add half the sliced potatoes to the bottom.
- Top with half the cooked beef mixture.
- Add half the beans, half the corn, and half the soup mixture.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of cheddar cheese.
- Repeat all layers one more time, ending with cheese on top.
- Cook
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are tender.
- Serve
- Scoop into bowls and serve hot.
- Add extra cheese or sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
Why Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole?
This is a recipe you keep in your back pocket for busy weeknights or chilly evenings when you want something comforting. Here’s why it stands out:
✔ Dump-and-go slow cooker ease
No complicated steps—just brown the beef, layer everything, and let the crockpot work its magic.
✔ Family-approved
Kids and adults both love it. It’s cheesy, creamy, and full of hearty favorites like potatoes, corn, and beef.
✔ Budget-friendly
This recipe uses simple, inexpensive ingredients you probably already have.
✔ Perfect for meal-prep
Leftovers reheat beautifully, making it ideal for next-day lunches.
✔ Versatile
Great as a side or a full main dish. You can customize the spice, the veggies, or even the protein.
This is truly one of those slow cooker recipes that checks every box.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need for the ultimate cowboy casserole:
Main Ingredients
1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
4–5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
1 can (15 oz) kidney or black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (10 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for topping)
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
½ cup milk
1 small onion, diced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Add-Ins
Red pepper flakes
Jalapeños
Bell peppers
Ground turkey instead of beef
How to Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Follow these steps for a perfect slow-cooked dinner:
Step 1: Prep the beef
Brown your ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions while cooking for extra flavor. Drain any excess grease.
Step 2: Mix the sauce
In a bowl, whisk together:
cream of mushroom soup
milk
garlic powder
paprika
salt and pepper
This will become the creamy base of your casserole.
Step 3: Layer the casserole
Spray your slow cooker with nonstick spray.
Layer in this order:
Half of the sliced potatoes
Half of the cooked beef
Half of the corn and beans
Half of the diced tomatoes
Half of the sauce mix
Half of the cheese
Repeat all the layers again.
Step 4: Slow cook
Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
Step 5: Finish with cheese
Sprinkle extra cheddar cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Let it melt until bubbly and irresistible.
️ How to Serve
This cowboy casserole recipe is delicious on its own, but you can elevate your plate with:
A crisp green salad
Garlic bread
Steamed vegetables
A scoop of sour cream on top
Fresh green onions or chives
Hot sauce for a spicy kick
It’s also a fantastic potluck or game-day dish—guaranteed to disappear fast!
Tips for the Best Cowboy Casserole
✔ Slice potatoes evenly
Thin slices help them cook properly and avoid hard pieces.
✔ Don’t skip browning the ground beef
This step adds flavor and prevents greasy results.
✔ Add extra sauce for creamier texture
If you want it saucier, add an extra ½ cup of milk or a second can of soup.
✔ Let it rest before serving
Allowing it to sit for 5 minutes helps the casserole firm up.
✔ Try different cheeses
Pepper jack, Monterey jack, or Colby add amazing flavor variations.
❓ FAQs
Can I use frozen potatoes?
Yes! Frozen diced potatoes or hash brown potatoes work well. No thawing required.
Can I make this without canned soup?
Yes—replace the soup with 1½ cups of heavy cream mixed with 1 tablespoon flour.
Can I freeze cowboy casserole?
Absolutely. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Can I use turkey instead of beef?
Yes! Ground turkey or chicken works perfectly in this crockpot recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is the definition of comfort food—rich, filling, and incredibly simple to prepare. Whether you’re looking for slow cooker meals that feed the whole family or a cozy dish to warm you up on a cool night, this casserole delivers every single time. With layers of tender potatoes, savory beef, creamy sauce, and melted cheese, it’s a dish you’ll find yourself making again and again.
