Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole (Easy One-Pot Dinner)

It was one of those chaotic Tuesdays—kids bickering, dishes piled high, and the fridge giving me serious side-eye. I tossed what I had into the slow cooker and crossed my fingers. Seven hours later, this cowboy casserole came out bubbling, hearty, and weirdly perfect. Now it’s on repeat in our house, especially when life’s a little nuts.

Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Casserole

This slow cooker cowboy casserole is the kind of cozy, stick-to-your-ribs dinner you’ll crave when the day gets away from you. It’s a one-pot wonder—just dump, stir, and let the slow cooker do its thing while you tackle your to-do list (or scroll Pinterest in peace). Ground beef, beans, corn, and potatoes create a hearty base, while a cheesy topping finishes it off with ooey-gooey comfort.

It’s wildly adaptable: you can switch up the beans, use sweet potatoes, or toss in jalapeños for a kick. Plus, it’s super affordable, packed with pantry staples, and makes the kind of leftovers you’ll actually want to eat. It’s basically dinner’s version of sweatpants—relaxed, reliable, and always welcome.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ground beef – Lean or 80/20 both work great
• Chopped onion – Adds savory depth
• Minced garlic – Because flavor!
• Cream of mushroom soup (10.75 oz) – Classic binder with rich flavor
• Milk (½ cup) – Makes the soup mixture nice and creamy
• Kidney beans (15 oz can) – Drained and rinsed
• Diced tomatoes with green chilies (14.5 oz can) – Adds zing
• Frozen corn (1 cup) – Sweet and easy
• Chili powder (1 tsp) – Mild warmth
• Salt (½ tsp) and black pepper (¼ tsp) – Basic seasoning magic
• Sliced potatoes (4 cups or ~1.5 lbs) – Russets or Yukon Golds work well
• Shredded cheese (1 cup) – Cheddar is classic, but feel free to mix it up

Grab what you’ve got—this dish is super forgiving if you need to swap something.

How to Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Brown the Beef
  
  In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion and garlic until the meat is browned and the onions are soft. Drain off any excess fat.
• 
  browned beef and onions ready for their slow-cooked
  
  
  
• Load the Slow Cooker
  Transfer the beef mixture into your slow cooker. Add the cream of mushroom soup, milk, kidney beans, diced tomatoes with chilies, corn, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
  
  
• 
  
  
• Add Potatoes
  Toss in your thinly sliced potatoes and stir gently to coat them in the mixture.
• Cook It Low and Slow
  Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
• Cheese It Up
  About 20 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, pop the lid back on, and let
  it melt into gooey perfection.
  
  
• 

Tips for Best Results

• Thinly slice those potatoes so they cook evenly and soak up all that flavor.
• Don’t skip browning the beef—it builds better flavor and texture.
• Add the cheese at the end to keep it melty and fresh, not rubbery.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Got leftovers? Lucky you.

• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze (without cheese) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
• Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through. Add fresh cheese on top if needed!

Easy Variations & Substitutions

Make it your own:

• Use ground turkey, chicken, or sausage instead of beef.
• Sub in pinto, black beans, or even baked beans.
• Try sweet potatoes or cauliflower instead of regular spuds.
• Add heat with jalapeños, chipotle, or a dash of hot sauce.

This recipe’s got range. You can even pair it with something fresh like Cowboy Caviar as a fresh and zesty appetizer for a fun themed dinner.

FAQ – Quick Answers About Cowboy Casserole

Looking for more slow-cooked hits? Try these Easy Crock Pot Street Tacos for another slow-cooked dinner idea or warm up with Hearty and flavorful American Goulash.

Before you go, find more family-style inspiration and daily dinner ideas on my Pinterest and Facebook!

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