Description
Cooked low and slow in your crockpot, it’s the ultimate one-pot meal — easy to prepare, rich in flavor, and guaranteed to satisfy hungry appetites. Whether you’re feeding a family on a busy weeknight or prepping a cozy weekend dinner, this cowboy casserole is the kind of crowd-pleasing comfort food everyone will love.
Ingredients
Meat & Protein
1½ lbs ground beef (80/20 blend for flavor)
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Vegetables
6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch rounds
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp green onions or chives (optional, for garnish)
Dairy
1 cup sour cream
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Canned & Condiments
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
Spices & Seasonings
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
rown the Beef: In a skillet, cook ground beef until no longer pink. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3–4 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Mix Sauce: In a bowl, stir together cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
Layer in Slow Cooker: Grease the crockpot. Layer potatoes, beef mixture, and sauce. Repeat twice. Top with remaining cheeses.
Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are tender.
Notes
Potato Options: While russet potatoes are most commonly used due to their soft texture when cooked, Yukon Golds work well too and hold their shape better during long cooking times.
Cheese Tips: For best results, shred your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded. Pre-packaged shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
Add Heat: Want a spicier version? Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the ground beef mixture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 3–4 hours
- Category: Main Dish / Casserole
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 95mg