Description
Hearty slow cooker cowboy potato casserole brings robust western flavors to your dinner table. Russet potatoes, bacon, and cheese combine in a comforting one-pot meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or sausage)
- 3 cups frozen or fresh diced potatoes (hash browns or cubed russet potatoes)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 can (10.5 oz or 297 g) cream of mushroom or cream of cheddar soup
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk
- ½ cup chopped cooked bacon (optional)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp chili powder (optional, for a little kick)
- ½ cup chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef and onions in a skillet until meat is fully cooked and onions turn soft and translucent, creating a robust flavor base.
- Seasoning Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic and spice blend to the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute seasonings and elevate the overall taste profile.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Drain excess fat from the meat, then transfer the seasoned beef and onion mixture into the slow cooker, creating an even foundational layer.
- Layering Technique: Systematically arrange diced potatoes over the meat, ensuring complete and uniform coverage across the cooking surface.
- Cheese and Moisture Integration: Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the potato layer and evenly drizzle cream of mushroom soup, which will bind ingredients and create a luscious, creamy texture.
- Bacon and Flavor Boost: Scatter crumbled bacon across the top to introduce a smoky crunch and additional flavor dimension.
- Slow Cooking Process: Secure slow cooker lid and set to low heat, allowing ingredients to meld and cook gently for several hours until potatoes reach perfect tenderness and cheese melts completely.
- Serving Preparation: Allow casserole to rest briefly after cooking, enabling flavors to settle and facilitating easier portioning for a delightful meal presentation.
Notes
- Drain Ground Beef Thoroughly: Remove excess fat completely to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a cleaner, healthier texture.
- Layer Ingredients Strategically: Create even layers of meat, potatoes, and cheese to guarantee consistent flavor and texture in every bite.
- Control Moisture Carefully: Use low-fat cream of mushroom soup or substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter version that maintains creamy consistency.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, lean chicken, or plant-based crumbles to accommodate different dietary preferences and nutritional needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg