Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

This slow cooker cowboy casserole is a hearty, protein-packed meal that cooks perfectly in your crockpot with minimal prep. It’s loaded with ground beef, beans, corn, and topped with crispy tater tots for the ultimate comfort food experience. This cowboy casserole slow cooker recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or meal prep sessions.

Cowboy casserole that’s completely hands-off, feeds a crowd, and has layers of bold flavors?! This slow cooker cowboy casserole recipe delivers all that and more.

This cowboy casserole slow cooker requires no pre-cooking of ingredients – just layer everything in your slow cooker and let it work its magic. I add a generous amount of cheese and seasonings, but you can customize with any toppings you like. Jalapeños for heat, extra cheese for indulgence, whatever suits your family!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy slow cooker cowboy casserole with minimal prep
• Feeds 8-10 people generously
• Perfect for meal prep and busy nights
• Kid-friendly cowboy casserole flavors

How to Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

BROWN BEEF. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat.

LAYER INGREDIENTS. Add the browned beef to your slow cooker cowboy casserole along with drained beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and seasonings.

ADD LIQUID. Pour in the beef broth and stir everything together to combine in your cowboy casserole slow cooker.

COOK. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours until flavors are well combined.

TOP WITH TOTS. In the last 45 minutes, arrange frozen tater tots on top of your slow cooker cowboy casserole and continue cooking uncovered.

ADD CHEESE. Sprinkle cheese over the tots in the final 10 minutes of cooking your cowboy casserole.

SLOW COOKER COWBOY CASSEROLE

Cuisine: American
Category: Main Dish
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4-5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Serves: 8-10 people

INGREDIENTS

For the Base:

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Casserole:

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped

PREPARATION

1. Brown the meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned. Add diced onion and garlic, cooking for 3-4 minutes until onion is softened. Drain excess fat.
2. Season: Add taco seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the beef mixture. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Layer in slow cooker: Transfer the seasoned beef mixture to your slow cooker. Add black beans, pinto beans, corn, diced tomatoes with juice, beef broth, and barbecue sauce. Stir everything together until well combined.
4. Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until flavors are melded and mixture is heated through.
5. Add tater tots: Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the casserole mixture. Do not stir. Continue cooking uncovered for 45 minutes to allow tots to crisp up.
6. Finish with cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots and cook for 10 more minutes until cheese is melted.
7. Serve: Let the slow cooker cowboy casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Ingredient Substitutions

Ground beef. The ground beef provides hearty protein for this cowboy casserole slow cooker recipe. You can substitute with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat. I recommend 85/15 ground beef for the best flavor.

Tater tots. Create that signature crispy top for your slow cooker cowboy casserole. You can substitute with frozen hash browns or diced potatoes. Mini tater tots work great and cook more evenly in this cowboy casserole.

Beans. I use black beans and pinto beans, but any beans work in this slow cooker cowboy casserole. Try kidney beans, navy beans, or chickpeas for variety.

Cheese. Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor for cowboy casserole slow cooker recipes, but Monterey Jack or Mexican blend work beautifully.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Store leftover cowboy casserole in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This slow cooker cowboy casserole reheats beautifully for quick meals throughout the week.

You can freeze this cowboy casserole slow cooker recipe for up to 3 months. The tater tots may lose some crispness when frozen, but the flavor remains excellent.

This slow cooker cowboy casserole is perfect for meal prep. Assemble everything except the tater tots up to 2 days ahead. For freezer prep, combine all ingredients except tater tots and cheese in a freezer bag for perfect cowboy casserole slow cooker results.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I cook this slow cooker cowboy casserole on high heat?

Yes, you can cook this cowboy casserole on high for 2-3 hours instead of low for 4-5 hours. The flavors will still develop well, though low and slow gives the best results. Add the tater tots in the last 45 minutes regardless of heat setting.

How do I prevent the tater tots from getting soggy in my slow cooker cowboy casserole?

To keep tater tots crispy, cook the casserole uncovered for the last 45 minutes after adding them. Don’t stir them into the mixture – just layer them on top. Some slow cookers have a “crisp” setting that works perfectly for this step.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen tater tots?

You can use diced fresh potatoes, but they’ll need longer cooking time. Add them with the other ingredients at the beginning and cook for the full time. They won’t get as crispy as tater tots but will still be delicious in this cowboy casserole.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover cowboy casserole slow cooker portions?

For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes to restore some crispness to the tots. Microwave works for quick reheating but won’t crisp the topping. Add a splash of broth if the mixture seems dry.

Can I make this slow cooker cowboy casserole vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the ground beef with plant-based ground meat or extra beans and mushrooms. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. The cooking method remains the same, and it’s equally satisfying.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, hosting game day, or need an easy meal prep option, this slow cooker cowboy casserole delivers every time. The combination of protein, vegetables, and that crispy tater tot topping creates a meal that satisfies everyone.

This cowboy casserole proves that simple ingredients can create something extraordinary when prepared thoughtfully. It’s the kind of slow cooker cowboy casserole recipe that becomes a family favorite, perfect for any occasion when you need reliable comfort food.

Share your results on my Facebook page – I love seeing your cowboy casserole creations! Tag me @OlyviaBestRecipes on Pinterest when you make this hearty dish!

Author: Olyvia T.