This crockpot cowboy casserole is a hearty, all-in-one dinner made with ground beef, potatoes, black beans, corn and plenty of melted cheese. It’s easy comfort food the whole family will love.
More game day favorites include easy sloppy joes and my 3 ingredient easy chili recipe.
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Key Takeaways: Cowboy Crockpot Casserole
- Hearty all-in-one meal: Ground beef, potatoes, black beans, corn and tomatoes make this filling enough to stand on its own for dinner.
- Easy crockpot dinner: Brown the beef first, then everything cooks together hands-off in the slow cooker until the potatoes are tender.
- Plenty of savory flavor: Cumin, oregano, garlic and fire-roasted tomatoes give the casserole a warm, Tex-Mex-inspired flavor.
- Cheesy finish: A layer of sharp cheddar melts over the top during the last few minutes of cooking.
Why I Love This Recipe
This cowboy crockpot casserole has the same cozy, stick-to-your-ribs feel as my crockpot chili, with tender potatoes and plenty of melty cheese on top. If you love my ground beef and potatoes, this is another satisfying way to turn that classic combination into a convenient dinner.
The warm, Tex-Mex flavors remind me of my chili and cornbread skillet, but I especially love serving this one with cornbread on the side for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Ground beef, onion and garlic: I like to use lean ground beef so there isn’t too much excess grease. Ground turkey or sausage can also be used for a variation.
- Seasonings: A simple combination of cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Fire-roasted tomatoes: Adds a slightly smoky flavor and plenty of moisture. Be sure to add the juices from the can, too.
- Baby potatoes, black beans, and corn: I like to quarter the potatoes into about 1/2-inch pieces so they cook evenly. Drain and rinse the beans first. Frozen corn is an easy option that can go straight into the slow cooker without thawing.
- Water or broth: Adds enough liquid to help everything cook. Broth will give the casserole a little extra flavor.
- Cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded sharp cheddar melts the best and adds lots of cheesy flavor. Add it at the very end so it stays gooey and melty.
Variations
- Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or sausage.
- Use kidney or pinto beans instead of black beans.
- Stir in diced green bell pepper with the onions.
- Top with pepper Jack cheese for a little kick.
How to Make Crockpot Cowboy Casserole
Step 1: Cook the ground beef and onion in a skillet until the meat is browned and the onion is tender. Drain any grease, then stir in the garlic, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Add cheese. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the casserole, cover and cook for another 10 minutes until melted.
Step 2: Transfer beef mixture to a crockpot with the remaining ingredients (except cheese). Cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or HIGH for about 3 hours.
Step 4: Serve warm. Scoop into serving bowls and enjoy with your favorite toppings. We love it with sour cream, green onions, and crushed tortilla chips!
Recipe Tips
- Cut the potatoes evenly. Keep them around 1/2-inch; that way, they all get fork-tender at the same time.
- Don’t skip browning the beef. Technically, it’s not the law, but it certainly adds more flavor and allows you to get rid of the grease beforehand.
- Grate your own cheese. Freshly grated from a block melts nice and smooth for a gooey cheesy topping.
- Don’t forget the toppings! Sour cream, green onions, cilantro, avocado, crushed tortilla chips, or hot sauce are an easy way to add extra flavor and texture to your dish.
Crockpot Cowboy Casserole FAQs
You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or sausage, use pinto or kidney beans instead of black beans, or add diced bell peppers with the onion. For more heat, add diced jalapeños, chili powder, or pepper Jack cheese.
A simple green salad is a great way to lighten up the meal, or serve it with my sweet cornbread with honey for soaking up all those delicious juices.
While this hasn’t been tested like that, you might like Frito pie or tamale casserole instead. Both have similar Tex-Mex flavors and are easy, family-friendly options.
Summarize and Save This Recipe Content On:
More hearty meals with ground beef include ground beef casserole, ground beef and zucchini skillet and ground beef and broccoli.
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
Crockpot Cowboy Casserole
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper more to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 14.5-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes , undrained
- 1 pound baby potatoes , quartered
- 1 15-ounce can black beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- ⅓ cup water or broth
- 1-2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Optional toppings: sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, sour cream, diced avocado, crushed tortilla chips or hot sauce.
Instructions
- Brown ground beef and onion: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef and 1 cup chopped onion and cook until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess grease.
- Transfer to crockpot: Stir in 1 Tablespoon garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper during the last 30 seconds of cooking. Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, can of diced tomatoes (with the juices), 1 pound potatoes, 1 can black beans and 1 cup corn. Pour 1/2 cup water or broth over the top. Stir until everything is evenly coated. Then sprinkle the top with extra salt and pepper.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, until the potatoes are fork tender. Stir gently and season to taste.
- Cover with cheese: Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Spoon into bowls and add your favorite toppings. We love ours with a dollop of sour cream, green onions and crushed tortilla chips for a little crunch.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
- Cut the potatoes into evenly sized 1/2-inch pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts much smoother than pre-shredded.
- Storage: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
