Can I make this entirely the night before?

Yes. Brown the meat, assemble in the insert, cover, and refrigerate. Put it in the base and cook in the morning.

Do I have to use condensed soup?

No. Mix 1 cup broth with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 3 ounces cream cheese for a quick sauce. Stir it in during the last 30 minutes.

What cheese melts best?

Freshly grated cheddar melts smoother than pre-shredded. Pepper jack adds nice heat.

Absolutely. Add extra corn or more potatoes to keep the volume right.

How do I scale for a crowd?

Use an 8-quart slow cooker and one and a half times the recipe. Check doneness early.

Deliciously Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Name: Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb Lean ground beef (or sausage or turkey) (Use 90% lean ground beef for less grease.); 3 cups Sliced red potatoes or crispy crowns (Sliced red potatoes cook down and become tender.); 1 can Black beans (Drain very well.); 1 can Fire-roasted corn (Adds a smoky sweetness.); 1 can Diced green chiles (For gentle heat.); 1 can Diced tomatoes with juice (Adds body and moisture.); 1 can Condensed cream of mushroom or cream of chicken (Base for the sauce.); 1 cup Sour cream (For creaminess.); 1 cup Heavy cream (Optional for extra creaminess.); 1 cup Sharp cheddar or pepper jack (Add towards the end of cooking.); 2 tablespoons Chili powder (For flavor.); 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika (Add to brown meat.); 1 teaspoon Onion powder; 2 cloves Garlic (Minced.); 1 teaspoon Salt (To taste.); 1 tsp Pepper (To taste.)

Description

A cozy, hearty casserole loaded with ground meat, creamy sauce, potatoes, and vegetables, perfect for a busy evening.

Ingredients

Meat

1 lb Lean ground beef (or sausage or turkey) (Use 90% lean ground beef for less grease.)

Vegetables

3 cups Sliced red potatoes or crispy crowns (Sliced red potatoes cook down and become tender.)
1 can Black beans (Drain very well.)
1 can Fire-roasted corn (Adds a smoky sweetness.)
1 can Diced green chiles (For gentle heat.)
1 can Diced tomatoes with juice (Adds body and moisture.)

Creamy Base

1 can Condensed cream of mushroom or cream of chicken (Base for the sauce.)
1 cup Sour cream (For creaminess.)
1 cup Heavy cream (Optional for extra creaminess.)

Cheese and Seasoning

1 cup Sharp cheddar or pepper jack (Add towards the end of cooking.)
2 tablespoons Chili powder (For flavor.)
1 teaspoon Smoked paprika (Add to brown meat.)
1 teaspoon Onion powder
2 cloves Garlic (Minced.)
1 teaspoon Salt (To taste.)
1 tsp Pepper (To taste.)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preparation

Brown your meat with onions and garlic in a skillet. Drain very well.
In a bowl, whisk together the condensed soup, sour cream, diced tomatoes with juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Layering

Lightly grease your slow cooker. Add a layer of potatoes, then a little sauce, followed by the meat, black beans, and corn. Repeat layers.
Finish with more potatoes and sauce on top but save the cheese for later.

Cooking

Cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours or High for 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
In the last 20 minutes, sprinkle cheese on top and cover until melted.

Serving

Stir gently, then taste for seasoning. Adjust with cream or milk if a looser sauce is desired.

Notes

Use fresh cheese for better melting. Add toppings like green onions or a splash of hot sauce before serving.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex