Description
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish packed with ground beef, beans, corn, hashbrowns, and ranch seasoning, all slow-cooked to perfection and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for an easy, all-in-one meal that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef
Beans and Vegetables
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (10 oz) corn kernels, drained
- 1 lb frozen hashbrowns
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
Seasoning
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned. Drain off any excess fat to keep the casserole from being greasy and to improve flavor.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked ground beef to your slow cooker. Stir in the drained kidney beans, black beans, corn, frozen hashbrowns, ranch seasoning mix, milk, salt, and pepper until all ingredients are well combined, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours. This slow cooking will allow the flavors to meld together and the hashbrowns to soften perfectly.
- Add Cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover again to let the cheese melt into a delicious, bubbly topping.
- Serve: Once the cheese has melted and is bubbly, your casserole is ready to be served. Scoop out portions while hot and enjoy this warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute frozen hashbrowns with diced fresh potatoes if preferred; just increase the cooking time slightly.
- For a spicier version, add some chopped jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the mixture before cooking.
- If you want to make it gluten free, double-check the ranch seasoning packet ingredients to ensure no gluten-containing additives.
- This casserole reheats well and can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For added freshness, serve with a side of chopped green onions or a dollop of sour cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
