Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for Hearty Dinners

Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to keeping it from getting too soupy. The result is a hearty, satisfying casserole that’s crispy on top and perfectly cooked inside. The melted cheese and golden, bubbly edges will make your kitchen smell amazing. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Fresh Lettuce Wrapped Veggie Spring Rolls with Almond Dip and Classic White Bean and Kale Soup Recipe for Easy Dinner.

What You'll Need for Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for Hearty Dinners

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Optional: Green onions, chopped
• Optional: Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Optional: Fresh cilantro, chopped

How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for Hearty Dinners

1. Step 1: In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and bell pepper over medium heat until beef is browned and vegetables are softened. Drain excess fat.
2. Step 2: Stir in kidney beans, diced tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Transfer the mixture to your slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Before serving, sprinkle shredded cheese on top and let it melt for a few minutes.

Storing & Reheating Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for Hearty Dinners

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the casserole mixture ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook. Add the cheese before cooking.

Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for Hearty Dinners

Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Add a little beef broth or milk to prevent drying out.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, you can brown the ground beef and vegetables in the slow cooker insert on the stovetop before transferring it to the slow cooker.
• Best substitution: Instead of ground beef, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the casserole mixture without the cheese and refrigerate. Add the cheese before cooking and let it melt in the slow cooker.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If your casserole is too soupy, you can thicken it by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stirring it into the casserole. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.

Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for Hearty Dinners

⏱

Prep

Prep: 15 minutes

🍳

Cook

Cook: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)

⏳

Total

Total: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)

🍽

Serves

6-8 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup

Seasonings

• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Optional Toppings

• Green onions, chopped
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and bell pepper over medium heat until beef is browned and vegetables are softened. Drain excess fat.
2. Step 2: Stir in kidney beans, diced tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Transfer the mixture to your slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Before serving, sprinkle shredded cheese on top and let it melt for a few minutes.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, you can brown the ground beef and vegetables in the slow cooker insert on the stovetop before transferring it to the slow cooker.
• Best substitution: Instead of ground beef, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the casserole mixture without the cheese and refrigerate. Add the cheese before cooking and let it melt in the slow cooker.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If your casserole is too soupy, you can thicken it by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stirring it into the casserole. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Add a little beef broth or milk to prevent drying out.
• Make ahead: You can prepare the casserole mixture ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook. Add the cheese before cooking.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 18g
• Carbs: 32g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 780mg
• Cholesterol: 85mg
• Sat. Fat: 9g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for Hearty Dinners FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for Hearty Dinners and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!