Description
This Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish combining ground beef, beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies, all topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal or casual gathering, it requires minimal prep and uses a slow cooker to meld the flavors beautifully over several hours.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cups frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained), chopped onion, black beans, kidney beans, and corn to the skillet with the beef. Stir well to combine and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to warm all the ingredients through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Layer in the Slow Cooker: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture into your slow cooker, spreading it out evenly to form a base layer.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef mixture. This will create a crispy topping as they cook.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top, and the flavors have melded together.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots. Cover and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and is bubbly.
- Serve: Serve the casserole hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream if desired. This adds a creamy contrast to the spicy, savory flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef to reduce fat content.
- For extra spice, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce when mixing ingredients.
- If you prefer a thicker casserole, drain some of the tomato juice before adding.
- Try adding shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, or sliced avocado as fresh toppings when serving.
- The cooking time can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker, so check the texture of the tater tots starting at 4 hours.
