When you need an easy dinner, this Crockpot Cowboy Casserole is a family-friendly win. It’s loaded with ground beef, potatoes, veggies, and a creamy, cheesy sauce for the ultimate filling meal that basically cooks itself.
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Crock Pot Cowboy Casserole
When you need an easy dinner, this Crockpot Cowboy Casserole is a family-friendly win. It’s loaded with ground beef, potatoes, veggies, and a creamy, cheesy sauce for the ultimate filling meal that basically cooks itself.
This Crockpot Cowboy Casserole is one of those recipes I find myself making again and again. It has all the flavors of a classic casserole but without the hassle. Throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.
Want to know my favorite part about this hearty and comforting cowboy casserole? It’s one of those rare meals the whole family actually agrees on, which makes it a true dinnertime win.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
Here is everything you need to make this casserole, including a few substitution recommendations.
- Russet Potatoes (3 – $5.94): The hearty base of the dish. Sweet potatoes or red potatoes are a good alternative.
- String beans (2, 14.5 oz cans – $1.52): Adds a nice texture to the casserole. You can use frozen string beans; just be sure to drain them before using to remove excess moisture.
- Frozen corn (2 cups – $1.50): Gives a sweet balance to the savory flavors. Use canned corn (drained) as a substitute.
- Ground beef (2 lbs – $14.97): The protein that helps create the hearty cowboy-style meal. Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of ground beef.
- Onion (1 – $0.88): Adds flavor to the beef mixture.
- Olive oil (1 Tablespoon – $0.04): You can use avocado or canola oil.
- Cheddar cheese (2 cups – $1.97): Gives a creamy, cheesy finish to the casserole. Colby Jack or Monterey Jack are good substitutes.
- Cream of Mushroom soup (26-oz can – $1.72): Ties everything together. Cream of Chicken or Cream of Celery also works.
- Milk (½ cup – $0.09): Thins out the sauce to the correct consistency. Use half-and-half for extra creaminess.
- Lawry’s seasoning (2 teaspoons – $0.13): Gives a slightly smoky kick. Use taco seasoning or Cajun seasoning as substitutes.
- Salt and pepper (To taste – $0.07): Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
The recipe cost is calculated based on the amounts needed and will vary depending on fluctuating grocery costs.
How To Make Cowboy Casserole in the Crockpot
Brown the beef, whisk the sauce, mix the ingredients in the crockpot, add in the sauce, top with cheese, and cook. Let me show you how.
- Cook the onions.
- Add in the ground beef, brown it, and drain off the fat.
- Whisk the mushroom soup, milk, and seasoning.
- Mix the ground beef mixture, string beans, corn, and potatoes in the crockpot.
- Stir in the sauce and 1½ cups of cheese.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the mixture.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours and serve.
Recipe Tip
Don’t overmix the ingredients! Overmixing can lead to mushy veggies.
Crockpot Cowboy Casserole
Recipe Cost 28.83 Serving Cost 3.60Equipment
- cutting board
- Sharp Knife
- slow cooker
- Measuring cups & spoons
- mixing spoon
- whisk
Ingredients
- 3 large Russet potatoes peeled and ¼ inch sliced
- 2 14.5 oz cans string beans drained
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese grated
- 26 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 2 teaspoons Lawry’s seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
GARNISHES:
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- In a large skillet on medium-high heat, add the olive oil and cook the onions until they are translucent.
- Add in the ground beef and cook until browned.
- Drain off the fat.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk the mushroom soup, milk, and seasoning.
- Add the ground beef mixture, string beans, corn, and potatoes to the crockpot, mixing until well combined.
- Pour the sauce and 1 ½ cups of the cheese over the mixture and mix until combined.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the mixture and set the crockpot to high for 3-4 hours or until potatoes are fork tender.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Storage Tips
SERVE: Serve this hearty casserole with a simple green salad. STORE: Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in a fridge for up to four days. FREEZE: Place the leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.Nutrition
Cowboy Casserole Crockpot Recipe FAQs
Definitely. Brown the beef and add everything to the crockpot the day before, except for the sauce and cheese. Add the sauce and cheese the next day, just before cooking.
I recommend browning the beef first so you can drain the excess fat before adding it to the casserole.
I have not tested this recipe in the oven. The beauty of this recipe is that you add everything to the slow cooker and let it do its magic while you walk away. I think it would work to cook it in the oven at 350 degrees F for 45-60 minutes.
Robin Dinsmore says
Can I use Fresh Green Beans?
I do not like canned veggies.
If yes, when should they be added to the crockpot
so they will remain on the semi-crisp side.
Thank you.
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Robin, I have not tested this recipe with fresh green beans, but I imagine it would work just fine. I recommend blanching them first, then plunge into ice water to stop the cooking. Then you’d be able to add them to the crockpot at the same time you’d add the canned beans. Let me know how it goes, I’d love to hear!