Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole Recipe Easy Hearty Meal for Family
A hearty and comforting slow cooker cowboy casserole packed with ground beef, beans, corn, and cheese. Perfect for easy family meals with smoky, savory flavors and minimal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (low) or 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn or 1.5 cups frozen corn
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (smoky variety like Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 200 g)
- Optional toppings: sliced green onions, chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until it starts to brown, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer the beef mixture into the slow cooker. Add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until beef is tender and flavors melded. Avoid lifting the lid frequently.
- About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top. Cover again to let the cheese melt.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, cilantro, or a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt if desired.
- Serve warm, optionally with cornbread, green salad, cooked rice, or baked potatoes.
Notes
Brown the beef and onions properly for deeper flavor. Adjust chili powder to spice tolerance. Cover when melting cheese to keep it moist. If casserole is too thick near the end, stir in a splash of beef broth or water. Leftovers store well refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6th of the c
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 32
Keywords: slow cooker, cowboy casserole, ground beef, beans, corn, easy dinner, hearty meal, family meal, comfort food