Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food for Busy Families
This Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is a cozy, family-friendly meal made with simple pantry staples. Layers of seasoned ground beef, tender sliced potatoes, creamy sauce, and melted Cheddar cheese come together effortlessly in the slow cooker. It’s budget-friendly, filling, and perfect for busy days when you want comfort food without extra work.
Ingredients
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1 pound lean ground beef
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½ cup chopped onion
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2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
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1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
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1 cup milk
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4 cups potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
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2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Cook the Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 6–7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper. -
Prepare the Sauce
In a bowl, stir together the cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth. -
Layer the Casserole
Line the slow cooker with a liner or lightly grease it.-
Add a layer of sliced potatoes to the bottom, overlapping slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
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Top with a layer of ground beef, a layer of soup mixture, and 1 cup of shredded cheese.
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Repeat layers with remaining ingredients, finishing with cheese on top.
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Slow Cook
Cover and cook on High for 3–4 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the cheese is melted. -
Serve
Spoon onto plates and serve hot.
Notes
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Slice potatoes evenly so they cook at the same rate.
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For extra flavor, add a pinch of paprika or dried thyme to the beef.
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You can swap cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken if preferred.
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Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to help it set.