You know those days when you just need something hearty, comforting, and ridiculously easy to throw together? That’s when I reach for my slow cooker to make a delicious, hearty meal and today I’m going to be showing you how to whip up this cowboy casserole in your slow cooker.

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It’s like a hug in a bowl—loaded with savory beef, creamy goodness, melty cheese, and, of course, a crispy tater tot topping.

The best part? This dish practically cooks itself while you go about your day. Whether you’re wrangling kids, tackling your to-do list, or just soaking up some well-deserved couch time, your kitchen will smell amazing—and dinner will be ready when you are.

Ingredients for this slow cooker cowboy casserole recipe

• Ground beef

• Onion, peeled and chopped

• Diced green chilies

• Cream of mushroom soup

• Sour cream

• Milk

• Garlic powder

• Kosher salt

• Pepper

• Cheddar cheese, shredded

• Frozen tater tots

• Chives, chopped

How to make this slow cooker cowboy casserole

Step 1: In a wide pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain any excess grease.

Step 2: Add the ground beef to the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 3: Add the diced onion, green chilies, mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

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Mix until everything is well combined.

Step 4: Layer cheddar cheese on top of the meat mixture.

Step 5: Add a layer of tater tots.

Step 6: Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 3 to 4 hours.

Step 7: Garnish with chopped chives and serve with an extra dollop of sour cream or hot sauce.

Helpful Tips and Substitutions

• If anyone in your family is sensitive to strong spices, you can leave the chilies out.
• For those of you who are looking to add some more nutrients to your casserole, feel free to add your favorite veggies to this dish before cooking. Layer your veggie choice on top of the beef, along with the onion. Frozen corn, peas, or green beans would be a perfect addition.
• If you don’t have tater tots on hand, you can also use shredded hashbrowns in this recipe.
• If you’d prefer to use a different type of meat, feel free to experiment with other ground meats such as chicken or turkey.
• If you don’t have cheddar cheese on hand, you can include another type of cheese. I personally also love shredded Tex-Mex.

Common Questions

Can you make a casserole in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Making a casserole in a slow cooker is a very convenient way to cook healthy, nourishing meals! Slow cooker casseroles are great because you get all the hearty, comforting flavors without having to keep checking up on the oven. Plus, they’re perfect for busy days when you want to set it and forget it.

How should I store a casserole?

Once they have cooled, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days.

If you’re planning to freeze it, make sure to use a freezer-safe container. It can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just remember to let it cool completely before freezing it to avoid ice crystals forming.

What’s the best way to reheat a casserole?

If you have chosen to freeze the rest of your casserole, thaw it overnight in the fridge. To reheat, put it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works, too!

And there you have it—slow cooker cowboy casserole, the ultimate comfort food with a little bit of a kick! Whether you’re serving it up for a busy weeknight dinner or bringing it to a potluck, this

dish is always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, can we just take a moment to appreciate how easy it is? Just toss everything in the slow cooker, let it do its thing, and voilà—dinner is served!

I love topping mine with a little extra sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce for that final touch, but honestly, it’s delicious just the way it is. Give it a try and let me know how it goes! I bet your family will be asking for seconds.

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Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

You know those days when you just need something hearty, comforting, and ridiculously easy to throw together? That’s when I reach for my slow cooker to make a delicious, hearty meal and today I’m going to be showing you how to whip up this cowboy casserole in your slow cooker.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion: peeled and chopped
• 2 cans (4.5 ounces) diced green chilies
• 1 can (10 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese: shredded
• 1 package (30 ounces) frozen tater tots
• 1 tablespoon chives: chopped

Instructions

Step 1: In a wide pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain any excess grease.

Step 2: Add the ground beef to the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 3: Add the diced onion, green chilies, mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.

Step 4: Layer cheddar cheese on top of the meat mixture.

Step 5: Add a layer of tater tots.

Step 6: Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 3 to 4 hours.

Step 7: Garnish with chopped chives and serve with an extra dollop of sour cream or hot sauce.