Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Add Preferred SourceCowboy Casserole is classic comfort food—simple, hearty, and perfect for busy evenings. This slow cooker version is a true dump-and-go recipe that delivers a cheesy, filling meal with almost no effort. It’s great for nights when you need dinner to take care of itself.
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I make this casserole a couple of times each month because it’s incredibly easy and always a hit with my kids. I just brown the beef in the morning, mix everything together in the slow cooker, and let it cook until dinnertime. Keeping a bag of frozen tater tots in the freezer makes meals like this even quicker. The tater tots soften as they cook and soak up all the rich, creamy flavor underneath. If you want them crispier, a short broil (using an oven-safe slow cooker insert) will do the trick. It’s a low-stress dinner that satisfies everyone.
Ingredients
- Ground beef – browned and drained; I cook with 80/20 ground beef for best flavor and value.
- Frozen corn niblets – You can also use a drained 15-ounce can.
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup – Or cream of chicken soup.
- Sour cream – Use full fat sour cream so the sauce doesn’t curdle.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – I love the flavor of sharp cheddar but any kind will work.
- Diced onion – Use yellow or white cooking onions for the best flavor.
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Frozen tater tots
How to Make Cowboy Casserole
Scroll to the recipe card for exact measurements and printable instructions.
Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it browns. Once no pink remains, drain the grease and let the meat cool slightly.
Lightly coat a 6-quart slow cooker insert with nonstick spray. Add the browned beef, corn, condensed soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, diced onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
Place the frozen tater tots on top in a single layer, covering the mixture. Slight overlapping is fine.
Cover and cook on Low for 4–5 hours or High for 2–3 hours, until the casserole is heated through and the tater tots have softened. If you want the tater tots crisper, move the casserole (or portions of it) to an oven-safe dish and broil for 2–3 minutes, watching carefully.
Serve warm, giving each bowl or plate a generous helping.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole works as a full meal, but you can add a green salad or simple vegetables like broccoli or green beans. Leftovers warm up well for lunch. For extra flavor, top with sour cream, sliced green onions, or a little hot sauce.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes.
You can freeze the casserole before or after cooking. Once fully cooled, store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef browned and drained
- 15 ounces corn niblets drained, 1 can
- 10.5 ounces condensed cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup, 1 can
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese mild or medium
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 20 ounces frozen tater tots 1 bag
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain the grease and set the meat aside.
- Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add the browned beef, corn, condensed soup, sour cream, shredded cheese, diced onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
- Cover and cook on Low for 4–5 hours or High for 2–3 hours, until the mixture is hot and bubbly and the tater tots are tender.
- Optional: For a crispier top, transfer to an oven-safe dish and broil for 2–3 minutes, watching closely.
- Serve hot.
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
