Description
Hearty slow cooker cowboy casserole delivers rustic ranch-style comfort with ground beef, potatoes, and cheesy goodness. Robust flavors and simple preparation make this dish a perfect weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, thoroughly cook ground beef with onions and garlic until meat is completely browned, carefully draining excess fat to prevent greasiness.
- Transfer the beef mixture into the slow cooker, adding diced potatoes, kidney beans, tomatoes, and corn. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, mixing ingredients thoroughly.
- Pour beef broth over the mixture, stirring to ensure even distribution of ingredients and flavors throughout the casserole.
- Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, allowing potatoes to become tender and ingredients to meld together.
- During the final 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole, allowing it to melt completely and create a golden, bubbling surface.
- Once cheese is fully melted and casserole is heated through, carefully remove from slow cooker. Garnish with fresh parsley for added color and serve hot in individual bowls.
Notes
- Meat Browning Magic: Pat ground beef dry before cooking to achieve a perfect sear and prevent steaming, which helps develop deeper flavor profiles.
- Potato Perfection: Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for better texture and absorption of delicious cooking liquids.
- Low-Sodium Swap: Replace regular beef broth with low-sodium versions to control salt intake without compromising taste intensity.
- Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or additional beans like black beans or lentils for a protein-packed meatless alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg