Description
Hearty slow cooker cowboy potato casserole delivers rustic ranch-style comfort straight from Western kitchens. Rich layers of potatoes, cheese, and savory meats create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 5 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks or diced
Seasoning and Dairy:
- 1 can (10.75 ounces/305 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sear the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, incorporating diced onions, minced garlic, and red bell peppers. Stir frequently until the meat browns completely and vegetables soften, creating a rich base for the casserole.
- Drain excess grease from the meat mixture to ensure a lighter, less oily dish.
- Whisk together cream of mushroom soup, milk, and seasonings in a separate bowl, creating a creamy sauce that will bind the casserole’s layers.
- Arrange a foundation of sliced potatoes along the bottom of the slow cooker, creating an even, overlapping base.
- Distribute half the seasoned beef mixture over the potato layer, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Pour half the prepared soup sauce across the meat, allowing it to seep between the ingredients.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining potatoes, beef mixture, and soup sauce, creating a stratified casserole with complementary flavors.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the dish to simmer on low temperature for 5-6 hours, enabling potatoes to tenderize and ingredients to meld harmoniously.
- During the final cooking stage, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, creating a golden, melted topping.
- Let the casserole rest for several minutes after cooking to allow flavors to settle and sauce to thicken.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish before serving warm.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease, ensuring a lighter, less oily final dish.
- Use waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for better texture and even cooking in the slow cooker.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute cream of mushroom soup with a homemade alternative using cornstarch and broth.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or smoked gouda to add unique flavor dimensions to the casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 438
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 81 mg