Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole: A Family Favorite (Print Version)

Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole brings comforting flavors to your table with minimal effort. Perfect for busy evenings, it’s a dish everyone will love. So easy!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Meat-lover friendly, dairy-free adaptable

# Ingredients:

→ Main Event & Veggies

01 - 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
04 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
05 - 1 (10 oz) package frozen corn

→ Flavor Architects

06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 cup beef broth
08 - 1 cup smoky BBQ sauce (your favorite kind!)
09 - 2 tsp chili powder
10 - 1 tsp ground cumin
11 - 0.5 tsp smoked paprika

→ Finishing Flourishes

12 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, but highly recommended)
13 - 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

→ Optional Power-Ups

14 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (for extra umami)
15 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (for a little heat)

# Instructions:

01 - I always get a little too enthusiastic with the browning, forgetting to season it first sometimes. Don't be like me! Get that ground beef nice and brown in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon, you want those lovely crumbles. Drain off any excess fat – seriously, don't skip this like I did that one time. You want flavor, not grease, in your <b>Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole</b>. The smell of browning beef already promises good things.
02 - This is where the magic starts to happen, flavor-wise. Toss in your diced onion to the same skillet (after draining the beef) and let it soften for about 3-5 minutes, until it's translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it's fragrant. Don't let the garlic burn, though; that's a sad smell and will make your whole casserole taste off. You'll feel the warmth from the pan, and the kitchen will start to smell amazing.
03 - Now for the easy part, honestly. Transfer the browned beef, onion, and garlic mixture into your slow cooker. Add the undrained diced tomatoes, rinsed and drained kidney beans, frozen corn, beef broth, and BBQ sauce. Give it a good stir, making sure everything is playing nice together. This <b>Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole</b> is all about those layers of flavor, so ensure it's well mixed.
04 - Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir it all together one more time until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. This is where you really start to smell the "cowboy" coming to life! I always take a little sniff here; it's so inviting. Taste a tiny bit of the liquid if you dare, just to get a sense of the spice level, but remember it'll concentrate as it cooks.
05 - Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. I usually go for the longer, slower cook; it just makes the flavors meld so much better and the beef gets incredibly tender. You'll start smelling it after an hour or two, and it just gets better and better. My house fills with the most comforting aroma, it's honestly the best part of the wait.
06 - Once the cooking time is up and the casserole is bubbling, give it a final stir. Ladle generous portions into bowls. This is where I go a little wild with the toppings! Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese (if using) and those lovely sliced green onions. The cheese gets all melty and gooey, and the green onions add a fresh crunch. Your <b>Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole</b> is ready to make everyone happy!

# Notes:

01 - Browning the beef before adding it to the slow cooker is a game-changer for flavor, don't skip it!
02 - This casserole freezes beautifully in individual portions for easy meal prep later in the week.
03 - Try adding a can of drained diced green chilies for a little extra kick and complexity.
04 - Serve over fluffy white rice or with warm cornbread for soaking up all that delicious sauce.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
02 - large skillet

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: Approx. 450-500 kcal
Total Fat: Approx. 20-25g
Total Carbohydrate: Approx. 35-40g
Protein: Approx. 30-35g

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