Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate hearty family-friendly comfort food that's perfect for busy weeknights. This dish has all the classic flavors of a cowboy casserole made with the ease of a set-it-and-forget-it crockpot recipe.
Table Of Contents
If you're craving a cozy delicious meal that the entire family will love, Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is a must try! This rustic dish combines seasoned savory ground beef, beans, veggies and tender tater tots all cooked together in a flavorful cheesy sauce. Making cowboy casserole in a slow cooker is a fuss-free way to do it. Start it in the morning and come home to enjoy your dinner without any more work to do.
If you love easy dump and go crockpot recipes like this, I think you'll also like this unstuffed cabbage roll casserole, delicious pepper steak and stuffed pepper casserole too. Pepperoni pepperoni pizza tater tot casserole isn't made in the slow cooker, but is also a favorite that families can't get enough of.
Why You'll Love Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
- It's a hearty dinner perfect for busy weeknights!
- Families love this meal and it's great for serving to crowds.
- You can easily substitute ingredients, like using frozen hash browns instead of tater tots. And if you prefer a leaner version, you can use ground turkey or ground chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef (plus seasonings of paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, dried thyme and cumin)
- 1 bag (about 20 oz) frozen tater tots
- 1 can (15 oz) sweet corn
- 1 can (15oz) black beans
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 small sweet onion
- 6 cloves of garlic
- Salt and pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
Ground beef: use ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner variation.
Frozen tater tots: substitute with frozen hash browns, frozen breakfast potatoes, diced red potatoes or diced yellow potatoes.
Black beans: substitute with white or red kidney beans or pinto beans. Or use a combination of beans.
Cream of chicken soup: substitute with cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup
Beef seasonings: use a couple packets of taco seasoning for a Mexican-twist. You can use this delicious homemade beef taco seasoning or enchilada seasoning to give it great flavor.
Add tomatoes: add a can of diced tomatoes or fire roasted tomatoes.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Spray the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or lightly grease with butter.
- In a large frying pan, brown the ground beef mixed with the seasonings over medium-high heat. Drain the excess fat and add to the slow cooker.
- Add the sweet corn, black beans, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours* or high for 2-3 hours*, until hot and bubbly. Tater tots should be soft but cooked through. *If not browning the beef beforehand, add 2 hours to the cook time.
- If desired, transfer to a baking dish and broil for 2-3 minutes to lightly brown the tater tots before serving.
Chef's Tips
To make this meal a true dump and go recipe, skip browning the ground beef and add it to the crockpot raw with the seasonings. Add 2 hours to the cooking time.
How To Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Microwave or warm in the oven until heated through. Cowboy casserole can be frozen before or after cooking.
Recipe FAQs
You'll need a 6, 8 or 10 quart slow cooker to make this cowboy casserole.
Yes, you can double or triple the recipe but be mindful of the size crockpot you have. You may need to extend the cooking time as well.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 1 can sweet corn 15 oz, drained
- 1 can black beans 15 oz, drained and rinsed
- 1 small sweet onion diced
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can cream of chicken soup 10.5 oz
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 20 oz frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Spray the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or lightly grease with butter. In a large frying pan, brown the ground beef mixed with the seasonings over medium-high heat. Drain the excess fat and add to the slow cooker. (see notes below to make this a true dump and go meal)
- Add the sweet corn, black beans, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours* or high for 2-3 hours*, until hot and bubbly. Tater tots should be soft but cooked through. *If not browning the beef beforehand, add 2 hours to the cook time.
- If desired, transfer to a baking dish and broil the top for 2-3 minutes to lightly brown the tater tots before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Terri says
I noticed that there is only a note to add tater tots, but nothing in the recipe for them. I can see that they are in the picture also.
Kristina Tipps says
So sorry and thank you for letting me know! They've been added- it's 20 ounces of frozen tater tots.
Anonymous says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!