Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
This Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. It combines layers of savory ground beef, beans, corn, and cheese, topped with creamy goodness and crispy tater tots, all cooked in your slow cooker for ultimate convenience.
Equipment
- 6-quart or larger slow cooker
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Can opener
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Medium bowl
- Mixer or whisk
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ¼ cup milk optional, for thinning
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Transfer the browned beef and sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker. Add the kidney beans, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes and green chiles, taco seasoning, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth and creamy. Stir in 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of milk to thin it out to a spreadable consistency.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the beef mixture in the slow cooker.
- Top with the frozen tater tots in a single layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 30-45 minutes, or until the tater tots are heated through and golden brown. For extra crispy tater tots, you can carefully transfer the casserole to a baking sheet and broil it in the oven for a few minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as chopped green onions, sour cream, or salsa.
Notes
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture. Feel free to add other vegetables, such as diced zucchini, mushrooms, or carrots. Pinto beans or great northern beans can be substituted for kidney or black beans. Ground turkey or shredded chicken can be used instead of ground beef. For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and add an extra can of beans or lentils. Casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.