Description
Hearty crockpot cowboy casserole brings rustic ranch flavors straight to dinner tables with bold southwestern charm. Ground beef, potatoes, and melted cheese create a comforting one-pot meal you’ll crave after a long day of ranch work.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb/453 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Starch:
- 4 medium potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 2 cups frozen corn kernels
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings:
- Green onions
- Shredded cheese
- Bacon bits
Instructions
- Sizzle ground beef with onions in a skillet over medium heat, breaking meat into crumbly fragments until fully browned and onions turn translucent. Eliminate excess grease thoroughly.
- Migrate the seasoned meat mixture into the crockpot, incorporating diced potatoes, frozen corn, and aromatic spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix ingredients comprehensively.
- Integrate cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, whisking until every morsel becomes evenly glazed and coated with creamy sauce.
- Secure crockpot lid and initiate slow cooking process. Maintain low temperature for 6-7 hours or accelerate on high setting for 3-4 hours, ensuring potatoes transform into tender morsels.
- During final cooking stage, cascade shredded cheddar cheese across casserole surface. Replace lid, allowing cheese to melt into luxurious, golden blanket.
- Once cheese becomes bubbling and completely melted, extract casserole from crockpot. Embellish with optional green onion garnish or crispy bacon fragments for enhanced texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent a watery casserole and enhance the dish’s rich, meaty texture.
- Opt for russet or Yukon gold potatoes as they hold their shape better during slow cooking and provide a creamy interior.
- Customize the heat by adding diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for those who enjoy a spicy kick to the classic cowboy comfort meal.
- Transform into a gluten-free version by using gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and checking seasoning powder ingredients for potential gluten contamination.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 397
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg