Description
Comfort meets convenience in this rustic ranch slow cooker casserole, blending savory ingredients with minimal prep. Ranch seasoning and tender meat create a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your dinner table without complicated cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) ground beef
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) potatoes, diced (peeled or unpeeled)
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) corn, drained
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes with juice
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
Instructions
- Sauté ground beef and onions in a skillet, ensuring meat is thoroughly browned and fat is completely drained for optimal flavor and texture.
- Create a robust base layer in the slow cooker by arranging diced potatoes as the foundation, followed by the seasoned beef mixture.
- Carefully distribute kidney beans, corn, and diced tomatoes evenly across the layered ingredients to ensure balanced distribution.
- Prepare a savory liquid mixture by combining cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and a medley of spices including garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt.
- Gently pour the seasoned liquid over the layered ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and thorough moisture penetration.
- Set slow cooker to low temperature and allow casserole to simmer and develop deep flavors for 6-7 hours, or alternatively use high temperature for 3-4 hours until potatoes reach perfect tenderness.
- During the final cooking phase, generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, allowing it to melt and create a golden, creamy topping.
- Once cooking is complete, let the casserole rest briefly to allow flavors to meld and settle.
- Serve piping hot, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley or chopped green onions for an extra layer of freshness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly version that keeps the hearty flavor profile intact.
- Drain and rinse canned beans to reduce sodium content and improve overall digestibility for those with sensitive stomachs.
- Cut potatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and prevent some chunks from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- Enhance the dish’s nutrition by adding extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini during the layering process for increased vitamins and fiber.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg