If you’ve got 10 minutes and a slow cooker, you’re in for one of the easiest, most comforting dinners ever. This cowboy casserole is hearty, cheesy, and totally family-approved.
It’s the kind of dump-and-go recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or when you just don’t feel like fussing with a bunch of steps. Bonus, it smells amazing while it cooks.
🛒 Ingredients
- Ground beef – I like 80/20 for the best flavor, but you can use ground turkey or chicken if you want to lighten it up.
Tater tots – Frozen is perfect here, and you don’t need to thaw them first. You could swap in frozen hash browns if that’s what you have.
Shredded cheddar cheese – Mild or medium cheddar both work great. Pepper jack is fun if you want a little kick.
Cream of mushroom soup – Cream of chicken works too if you’re not into mushrooms.
Sour cream – Adds creaminess and a little tang. Plain Greek yogurt works in a pinch. - If you’d like more ground beef recipes, try ground beef and cabbage skillet, mexican ground beef and potatoes, or ground beef lettuce wraps next.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
🥘 How To Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
- Prep the slow cooker: Spray the insert with nonstick spray so cleanup is easier.
- Combine the filling: Add the browned and drained ground beef, corn, soup, sour cream, cheese, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together.
- Add the tater tots: Spread the frozen tater tots evenly over the top, without stirring them in.
- Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 5 hours or High for 2 to 3 hours, until hot, bubbly, and the tater tots are soft.
- Optional crisping: Transfer to a baking dish and broil for 2 to 3 minutes to lightly brown the tater tots before serving.
Rita's Tip
Do not stir in the tater tots, keeping them on top helps them cook evenly and not turn mushy.
📋 Tips
- Slice the onion small so it melts right into the casserole.
- Do not skip browning the beef first, it keeps the casserole from getting greasy.
- If you want crispy tots, broil at the end for a few minutes.
- Switch up the cheese for something smoky like gouda or a blend for extra flavor.
- This works with frozen mixed veggies instead of corn if you want more color.
- For a little Texas twist, add a can of diced green chilies.
- You can assemble everything in the insert the night before and store it in the fridge, then cook the next day.
🍱 Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- 🥶Freezing. Freeze before or after cooking. If freezing uncooked, add the tater tots fresh when ready to cook.
- 🔥To Reheat. Warm in the oven or microwave until heated through.
What To Serve With Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
- Simple arugula salad
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Tomato avocado salad
- Dill pickles or pickled onions for a tangy contrast
More Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Like
📖Recipe
Easy Cowboy Casserole (Dump-and-Go)
This easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole with tater tots is a cheesy, hearty, dump-and-go dinner that is perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
- 1 can (15-ounce) corn, drained
- 1 can (10.5 ounce) cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, mild or medium
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bag about 20 ounce frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Prep the slow cooker: Spray a 6-quart slow cooker insert with nonstick spray.
- Combine the filling: Add browned ground beef, corn, soup, sour cream, cheese, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.1 pound ground beef, 1 can (15-ounce) corn, 1 can (10.5 ounce) cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup, ½ cup sour cream, 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, Salt and pepper to taste, 1 small onion
- Add the tater tots: Spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer across the top without stirring.1 bag about 20 ounce frozen tater tots
- Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 5 hours or High for 2 to 3 hours, until hot and bubbly. Tater tots should be soft but cooked through.
- Optional crisping: Transfer to a baking dish and broil the top for 2 to 3 minutes to lightly brown the tater tots before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 402kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 22gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 336mgPotassium: 301mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 404IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 241mgIron: 2mg
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