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Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole recipes
Isabella

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

5 from 1 vote
A hearty, 5-ingredient comfort food with ground beef, tater tots, and melty cheese—perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Slow Cooker Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 500
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb 450g ground beef
  • 1 15 oz can baked beans (undrained)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 16 oz bag frozen tater tots
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce smoky or sweet variety
  • Optional toppings: Sour cream diced green onions, crispy beef

Equipment

  • 6-quart slow cooker
  • Skillet (for browning beef)
  • Colander (for draining grease)
  • Measuring cups/spoons

Method
 

  1. Brown the Beef:
  2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until no pink remains (6–8 mins). Drain excess grease.
  3. Layer Ingredients:
  4. In the slow cooker, layer in this order: cooked beef → baked beans → BBQ sauce → shredded cheese → frozen tater tots. Do not stir!
  5. Cook:
  6. Cover and cook on low heat for 4 hours or high heat for 2 hours.
  7. Serve:
  8. Garnish with optional toppings and enjoy straight from the crockpot!

Notes

Vegetarian Option: Swap beef for lentils and use vegan cheese.
Freezing: Portion leftovers into airtight containers. Reheats best in the oven for crispy tots.
Shortcut: Use pre-cooked frozen beef crumbles to skip browning.
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