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Beef, potatoes, onions, kidney beans and CHEESE feature in this Crockpot Cowboy Casserole! Quick to prep, this is a real family pleaser!
Very little prep time, you can get this in your pot, and get on with your day – coming home to a fully cooked, ready to eat meal.
Ever have a day where you just want dinner to be DONE and not worry too much about it? Yeah. Me too. Except that’s EVERY day… enter, the Crock-Pot Cowboy Casserole. We love this recipe, it’s become a solid family favorite over the years. Coming home to a big crock of slow-cooked deliciousness just makes me so happy!
Having some good slow cooker ground beef recipes in the inventory is fantastic! One of my favorites is my Poor Man’s Stew. This casserole has a very different flavor. Both are awesome!
PLAN AHEAD: When I know I have a super long day planned, I will often put this in the crockpot the night before, and let it cook while we sleep. Since I’m sometimes gone for more than 8 hours, I don’t want things to dry out, so putting it on overnight, and packaging it for lunch, or for reheating later than evening is a great way to still eat well. I just put it all in a baking dish and refrigerate. When I get home, I just put in the oven and let it reheat while I do other things. Dinner is done in about 30 minutes. Makes you rethink ALL of the slow cooker recipes you don’t make because they have too short a cooking time, right?
CANNED SOUP: This delicious recipe DOES contain a cardinal sin of the foodie world – cream of xxx soup. Which, honestly, I do tend to avoid if I can. However, in this case, simplicity and “get ‘er done” was the goal. If you really cannot handle the idea of canned soup, you can make your own Cream of Chicken Soup. You can always use Cream of Mushroom soup if your family prefers that.
FAMILY FRIENDLY & CAN STRETCH TO FEED A CROWD
This is a hit with the family. It makes enough that there is plenty for everyone, including seconds and even a little leftover. Got a bigger crowd to feed? No problem! Add another can of beans, and another can of tomatoes to stretch this meal! (adjust the seasonings). As this recipe stands, this recipe feeds my entire family (2 adults, 2 kids) with a bowl of leftovers.
Feel super free to mix it up, and add different beans, vegetables, cheese etc (suggestions below in the Top Tips section).
Ingredients:
- ONION – sliced pretty thickly
- GROUND BEEF – I use a 97/3 beef, but 80/20 is fine too, but I would brown it first, and be sure and drain the fat
- POTATOES – I like Russet or Yukon golds for this.
- GARLIC – Don’t skimp on the garlic. Ever. This is actual life advice.
- KIDNEY BEANS – you can sub any kind of bean, pintos, black or cannellini all go just fine in this.
- CANNED DICED TOMATOES – undrained, you’ll need all the juices for the sauce. For a smokier flavor, grab the fire-roasted ones.
- CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP – Make your own cream of chicken soup, or pick up a can at the store (go for a low sodium one)
- DRIED OREGANO – you can use fresh if you wish, or just add more Italian herbs.
- ITALIAN SEASONING – Available at the store. I like my Homemade Tuscan Seasoning in this, but you do you!
- CHEDDAR CHEESE – I prefer to grate my own for this, it melts so much better than using storebought
How to make Crockpot Cowboy Casserole:
Full, printable recipe below – just scroll down to the recipe card!
- Brown the ground beef, and drain well.
- Place the browned beef, and the remaining ingredients except the cheese in a crock pot (slow cooker) and combine well.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top, cover.
- Serve when cheese is melted (about 10 minutes).
FAQs and Top Tips
- Add a can of black beans, stretch out the meal, or make sure there are more leftovers.
- Add a can of sweet corn and/or a can of green chiles – make it your own recipe!
- Use red potatoes (don’t peel!)
- Instead of Italian Seasoning, use my DIY recipe for Tuscan Seasoning
- Use Cream of Mushroom soup for a different kind of flavor.
- A little chili powder goes VERY well in this dish, with beans and beef it’s a no brainer, right?
- More Crock Pot Recipes:
- Vegetarian Chili – perfect for cool weather, packed with peppers, onions, beans, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.
- 15 Bean Soup – packed with flavor and goodness – this meal is a great one to set and forget!
- Beef Stew with Herbed Dumplings – this one makes the family run to the table, with the addition of Herbed Dumplings – it’s a total winter warmer!
- Easy CrockPot “Rotisserie” Chicken – cook a WHOLE chicken all day in the crockpot. Fall-apart, tender and juicy. YUM
- Smothered Pork Chops – tender & juicy, covered in a flavorful onion gravy. Slow-cooked while you do other things. This recipe is great for family dinners!
- Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork (from Lemon Blossoms)
- ALL SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT RECIPES
Want to see something fun? Here’s the original picture from when I published this many moons ago! eek.
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Cowboy Casserole (Crockpot)
Ingredients
- 1 large onion sliced
- 1 lb ground beef browned and drained
- 3 large potatoes sliced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 cans kidney beans do not drain
- 15oz can diced tomatoes do not drain
- 10.5oz can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cracked pepper
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese grated
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef, and drain well.
- Place the browned beef, and the remaining ingredients except the cheese in a crock pot (slow cooker) and combine well.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
- Sprinkle cheese on top, cover.
- Serve when cheese is melted (about 10 minutes).
Tips & Notes:
- Add a can of black beans, stretch out the meal, or make sure there are more leftovers.
- Add a can of sweet corn and/or a can of green chiles – make it your own recipe!
- Use red potatoes (don’t peel!)
- Instead of Italian Seasoning, use my DIY recipe for Tuscan Seasoning
- Use Cream of Mushroom soup for a different kind of flavor.
- A little chili powder goes VERY well in this dish, with beans and beef it’s a no brainer, right?
nutrition facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
Recipes written and produced on Kylee Cooks are for informational purposes only. Kylee is not a certified nutritionist. Nutritional data provided on Kylee Cooks has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration.
Ashley Lecker says
This sounds so good!
That Girl says
I'm making a crockpot meal this week for the same reason – it won't heat up the house!
Raelyn says
Yeah same
Cheri Savory Spoon says
HI Kylee, the crock pot is the perfect tool for the summertime, it's either that, grilling or salads every day. Great dish!
Danielle Wolter says
I feel that way every day too. And I don’t really have a problem using cream of xxx soup. Sometimes it just makes things easier, which is great when you’re busy. Anyways, this is like ultimate comfort food!!
Julie says
This is the perfect comfort food and I’m just drooling looking at that creamy goodness!
Healing Tomato says
This looks like amazing comfort food. I love that you made it in the slow cooker
debi at Life Currents says
I made a cowboy casserole once in the oven and it was great! I can’t wait to try yours. Sounds delicious! And I love the crock pot!
michele says
This is the kind of food I grew up with. I made this for my brother who came to dinner and he and I DEVOURED it all! So so good!
Courtney Loveless says
I have 4 kids and a husband, was this enough or should I double the recipe?
Kylee says
Depends on how big your kids are!! I use the rule of thumb – would 1lb of ground beef typically feed my family? If no, then I’d double it. If you have leftovers, I promise, no one will complain.
Michaela Kenkel says
Love meals like this!! So hearty and full of things I typically have on hand!
[email protected]'s Dinnertime Dish says
This looks so hearty and delicious! Perfect comfort food!
Farwin says
This looks hearty and filling! I’m all for extra for leftovers that will not have me think about dinner.
Kathy says
This looks fabulous! On my menu this week.
Catalina says
This Cowboy Casserole has all the ingredients that my family loves! This is a winner! I am sure my family will go crazy over this dish!
Mahy Elamin says
Thanks for this awesome, delicious recipe! We loved it! Even my toddler was crazy about it. She usually doesn’t eat potatoes… Well today she did! YUM!!!
Byron Thomas says
You kinda had me at cowboy! 😉 Seriously though, Kylee, this sounds and looks delicious! I love a good casserole, but I very rarely find one that includes steps to cook and drain the ground beef first. I bet this step eliminates that unwanted excess grease. Speaking of grease, if the ground beef is being drained, can I not substitute the ground beef for vegetarian crumbles to make this casserole a vegetarian dish?
Tammy says
What a comforting meal 😀 This looks absolutely delicious! I’ve never had a casserole quite like this…total comfort food ^_^
Madi says
Slow cooker casseroles are the best! This sounds like it would be so perfect right now since it’s winter!
Michelle says
I won’t say anything if you don’t, but I have cream of XXX soup in my cupboard too 😉 Love this recipe!
Jennifer A Stewart says
This recipe was so amazing! I never thought to add potatoes to it! Genius! Like chili on steroids and so delicious!
Anna says
Kylee, it looks perfect and tasty! Can’t wait to have this anytime of the day, love it!
Alyssa says
Kylee, this looks really good! I think I need to make these for myself and the kids. Love this idea!
Olga says
Kylee, it’s really awesome! This will quickly become a favorite in our house!
Mariya says
Kylee, this is such a delicious meal! I love making it for the family !
Alina says
It looks so yummy! I love the step-by-step instructions, making it an easy recipe to follow!
Donna says
I’m making this tomorrow morning you bring to a pot luck at work. I’m adding 1 lb ground chicken, 1 can of black beans and an additional can of diced tomatoes. Depending on how all that looks once it’s all in the crockpot I may add an additional can of cream of *** soup. I’m looking forward to serving this to my coworkers.
Lindsay hendren says
How did it go with ground chicken instead of beef?
Paula @ Mummy Vs Work says
This looks amazing! I love the sound of this and one for us to give a go, thank you for linking up!
Cha says
Love the name! I have now made it twice, each time a little different but definitely comfort food and easy! Thank you for sharing.
Annebakerim says
What a wonderful recipe, it looks appetizing, I showed it to my husband!
Rose Martine says
This recipe looks awesome!!! Since I don’t use grain flour, do you think almond or coconut flour would work well as a substitute? Thanks!
Kylee says
No! don’t use almond or coconut flour, it will be awful!
Maybe cornstarch? Or leave it out!
Kayla D says
This was super good! It even passed the test of my picky husband lol! I used pinto beans and fire roasted diced tomatoes. The only change I would make next time is reducing the Italian seasoning by just a bit.
Don’t forget the cheese on top before serving ! Will make this again for sure. Thanks Kylee !!!!
Theresa Ann Beneda says
I just made it and was very happy how it came out since I am not a super good cook. Very tasty. I used chili powder to spice it up. Only had 1 potato since the other potato was no good.
Raelyn says
I had a question can you use both kidney beans and black beans together?
Kylee says
Heck yeah you can!!
Kelly Whitaker says
Assume the potatoes are sliced thick so they stay firm? Making this for the first time tonight for my very picky husband!
Kylee says
I do slice them pretty thick, but definitely SLICES.
Anne says
Thanks, Kylee. I tried this recipe over the weekend and it was a big hit. I appreciate your “Notes” so that I can use variations. I rinsed and drained my beans, but added 1/2 – 1 cup of water. I left out the cheese for each person to add to their individual serving. Wow! This one is a keeper! It will be a frequently served meal at our house.
BERNARD GROSS says
Fantastic recipe that has become a house favorite! Adding the can of corn also a great idea. Chili powder with some green and red peppers also a good add. Basically feel free to use your imagination. Thanks for posting!!