Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Try this Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole made of ground beef, cream of mushroom, and tater tots for an easy weeknight dinner. It’s super easy to make in the crockpot and full of comfort food flavors the whole family will be asking for more!

If you’re not familiar with cowboy casserole, you’re in for a real treat! It’s the cousin of Tater Tot Casserole and it is comfort food to the MAX.

It’s easy to make, more so in the crockpot. Brown the meat, layer it along with the rest of the ingredients, and let the slow cooker do the work. Come dinnertime, you’ll have a delicious and filling meal the whole family will be raving about!

Ingredient notes

• The recipe calls for ground beef, but will work with just about any kind of minced meat. Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a less fat option or crumbled chorizo for a touch of Tex-Mex.
• Instead of a broth and cream base, the Cowboy Casserole has a cream of mushroom soup base and a little bit of a kick from the green chilis.  If the chilis are too spicy for your family, you can always leave them out and add half a cup of the milder roasted pimientos in its place.
• To bump up the color, texture, and nutrition, add some extra veggies into this recipe. Frozen veggies like corn or green beans work best. Just layer them on top of the beef with the diced onion!
• You can swap out the tater tots for frozen country-style or shredded hash browns if you prefer.

Slow cooker meals are such a life-saver. The only downside is that you have to resist the delicious smells while the dish cooks in the next room!  See below how to make this casserole in the oven and save yourself the wait.

Oven instructions

1. In a wide pan, cook the beef with over medium heat until it’s no longer pink.
2. Add the onions and continue to cook until softened and meat is lightly browned.
3. Add the green chilis, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, ½ cup of cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Transfer to a lightly greased casserole dish and top with the tater tots and remaining cheese.
5. Cook in a 375 F oven, uncovered, for about 40 to 50 minutes or until bubbly.

How to store

• This crockpot cowboy casserole makes a hearty and delicious main dish for lunch or dinner. Serve with an extra dollop of sour cream or hot sauce and complete the meal with a salad or roasted veggies.
• To store leftovers, transfer to container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thaw in the refrigerate overnight before reheating.