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A bowl of hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole with tater tots.
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Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

This easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate hands-off comfort food! Layers of seasoned ground beef, corn, beans, and cheese are topped with crispy tater tots for a hearty, family-friendly dinner that cooks itself.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cowboy casserole, crockpot casserole, easy ground beef casserole, family dinner recipe, slow cooker cowboy casserole, tater tot casserole
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 580kcal
Author: Angela

Equipment

  • 6-Quart or Larger Slow Cooker
  • Large Skillet

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes & green chilies (Rotel), drained
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can pinto or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
  • 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned. Drain fat. Stir in garlic, taco seasoning, paprika, tomato sauce, and drained Rotel. Simmer 2-3 mins.
  • Grease slow cooker. Spread beef mixture on bottom. Layer corn, then beans over beef. Spoon cheese soup evenly over beans.
  • Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over soup. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over tater tots.
  • Cover and cook on LOW 5-6 hours or HIGH 3-4 hours, until bubbly. For crispier top, leave lid ajar last 30 mins.
  • Let cool 10 mins before serving. Garnish with green onions or sour cream if desired.

Notes

Pro Tips: For the best flavor, always brown the ground beef and onions before adding them to the slow cooker. Drain all canned vegetables (corn, beans, Rotel) very well to prevent a watery casserole. For a crispier tater tot topping, leave the slow cooker lid slightly ajar for the last 30 minutes of cooking or, if your insert is oven-safe, finish under a broiler for 2-3 minutes. Do not stir the casserole after layering to keep the topping intact. This dish freezes and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep.