Description
Hearty slow cooker cowboy casserole delivers robust flavors from western ranch cuisine. Ranch-style ingredients blend seamlessly for a comforting meal you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (16 oz)
- 4 medium potatoes, sliced
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) beef broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Sauté ground beef with onions in a skillet over medium-high heat until meat browns and onions become translucent, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the beef mixture to reduce greasiness.
- Create a foundational layer of sliced potatoes across the entire bottom of the slow cooker, ensuring even coverage.
- Distribute the seasoned beef and onion mixture uniformly over the potato layer.
- Gently pour kidney beans and diced tomatoes across the beef, maintaining an even distribution.
- Pour beef broth carefully over the entire casserole to provide moisture and enhance flavor depth.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper evenly across the surface, ensuring comprehensive seasoning.
- Secure slow cooker lid and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until potatoes reach optimal tenderness.
- During the final 15-20 minutes of cooking, generously scatter shredded cheddar cheese across the top, allowing it to melt completely.
- Remove lid, let casserole rest for 5 minutes to stabilize, then serve hot with optional garnishes like chopped parsley or green onions.
Notes
- Enhance the protein by adding diced bell peppers or chopped jalapeños for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Create a low-carb version by substituting potatoes with cauliflower or turnips to reduce overall carbohydrate content.
- Prep ingredients the night before to save time and let flavors meld overnight in the refrigerator for deeper taste profile.
- Make it vegetarian by replacing ground beef with plant-based crumbles or additional beans like black beans or pinto beans.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg