Description
Hearty slow cooker cowboy potato casserole brings rustic ranch flavors straight from Western kitchens to comfort-seeking dinner tables. Rich layers of potatoes, bacon, and melted cheese create a mouthwatering meal sure to satisfy hungry crowds.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 5 large potatoes (peeled and cut into chunks or diced)
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1 can (10.75 ounces / 305 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown ground beef, onion, garlic, and red bell pepper in a skillet over medium heat until meat is fully cooked and vegetables are softened, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Drain excess grease from the meat mixture to reduce overall fat content.
- Whisk cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, black pepper, and paprika in a separate bowl until creating a smooth, well-combined sauce.
- Create the first layer of sliced potatoes across the bottom of the slow cooker, ensuring even coverage.
- Distribute half of the seasoned meat mixture evenly over the potato layer.
- Pour half of the creamy soup mixture across the meat, ensuring complete coverage.
- Repeat layering process with remaining potatoes, meat, and soup mixture, creating a second complete layer.
- Set slow cooker to low heat and cook for 5-6 hours, allowing potatoes to become tender and flavors to meld together.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the casserole’s surface during the final 20 minutes of cooking.
- Allow cheese to melt completely and become slightly golden around the edges.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a bright, fresh element to the hearty dish.
Notes
- Customize meat options by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein alternative.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and controlling added salt during seasoning.
- Enhance vegetable content by adding diced carrots or zucchini during the meat cooking stage for extra nutrition and flavor complexity.
- Prepare ahead by browning meat mixture and chopping potatoes the night before, storing separately in refrigerator to streamline morning slow cooker preparation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 455 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg