The Best Crockpot Cowboy Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Looking for a hearty and satisfying meal that’s incredibly easy to make? This crockpot cowboy casserole is the answer! Slow cooking transforms simple ingredients into a flavor-packed dish with minimal effort. Get ready to enjoy a comforting and delicious dinner that practically cooks itself.

Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Casserole

• This cowboy casserole is ultimate comfort food, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying family meal without spending hours in the kitchen. If you’re looking for other easy dinners, try this sloppy joe casserole.
• This recipe is incredibly versatile, easily customizable with your favorite ingredients.
• It uses simple, readily available ingredients that you might already have on hand.
• The slow cooker does all the work, freeing you up for other activities.

Ingredients for Crockpot Cowboy Casserole

Here’s what you’ll need to create this flavorful crockpot cowboy casserole:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage, mild or hot
• 1 cup finely diced yellow onion (1 onion)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound baby red potatoes, unpeeled
• 1 green bell pepper
• 14.5 ounces kidney beans
• 1-1/2 cups frozen corn
• 1 (14.5-ounces) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
• Fresh cilantro (optional)
• Sour cream (optional)

Notes & Substitutions

• Experiment with different sausage types to find your favorite flavor profile – Italian sausage is great!
• You can substitute sweet potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes for the baby red potatoes.
• Feel free to swap kidney beans for black beans or pinto beans, based on your preference.
• Use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend for cheese variations.
• Add or remove vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or mushrooms to customize the casserole.

Equipment Needed

• Slow cooker
• Large skillet
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Optional: potato slicer for even cuts

How to Make Crockpot Cowboy Casserole

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious crockpot cowboy casserole:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and diced yellow onion. Brown and crumble the sausage until fully cooked, caramelizing the onion for maximum flavor. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the browned sausage and onion mixture to your slow cooker.
   
   
2. Thinly slice the baby red potatoes and chop the green bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. Drain and rinse the kidney beans. Add the sliced potatoes, chopped bell pepper, drained and rinsed kidney beans, frozen corn, undrained fire-roasted diced tomatoes, minced garlic, and chili powder to the slow cooker.
   
   
3. Stir all the ingredients together in the slow cooker to ensure they are evenly combined. Press the mixture down into an even layer.
   
   
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2–4 hours or on low for 4–6 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork. For another easy meal using a crockpot, check out this white chicken chili crockpot.
   
   
5. Gently stir the cowboy casserole and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed, to achieve the desired taste.
   
   
6. Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover the slow cooker again and let the cheese melt for approximately 5–10 minutes.
   
   
7. Serve the hot crockpot cowboy casserole with optional toppings such as fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.

Common Mistakes

• Overcooking potatoes can lead to a mushy texture; check for tenderness periodically.
• Skipping the browning of the meat reduces the overall depth of flavor.
• Adding too much liquid can result in a watery casserole, so avoid extra water.
• Using an incompatible temperature setting on your slow cooker can lead to burning or uneven cooking.

Pro Tips for the Best Casserole

• Browning the meat is essential; it develops a deep, savory flavor that enhances the entire dish.
• Evenly slice the potatoes to ensure they cook uniformly throughout the casserole.
• Avoid overfilling the slow cooker; leave some space for proper heat circulation.
• Add the cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent it from burning or becoming overly melted.

Troubleshooting

• If the potatoes are still hard after the recommended cooking time, extend the cooking time by 30-60 minutes and check again.
• If the cowboy casserole is too watery, cook it uncovered for the last hour to allow some of the excess moisture to evaporate.
• If the casserole is burning, reduce the heat setting on your slow cooker or add a small amount of liquid.

Serving, Storing, and Variations

Serve this crockpot cowboy casserole hot with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze the casserole in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months.

For optimal food safety, the USDA offers guidelines on safely freezing and thawing food.

• Reheat individual portions in the microwave or larger portions in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

Delicious Variations

• For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños or use hot Italian sausage.
• Make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding more vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms.
• For a healthier option, use lean ground turkey or chicken sausage and low-fat cheese. If you want to try something different, consider this healthy tuna noodle casserole.
• Try different toppings like green onions, avocado, or a dollop of salsa.

Nutrition Information

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an approximation only and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This crockpot cowboy casserole is a surefire winner for busy weeknights. Its ease of preparation and delicious, hearty flavors make it a family favorite. Gather your ingredients, toss them in the slow cooker, and let the magic happen! We encourage you to try this recipe and leave your feedback below. Looking for another quick ground beef dinner? These cheesy beef potato pockets are another great option.

The Best Crockpot Cowboy Casserole Recipe

This Crockpot Cowboy Casserole is a robust and easy-to-make one-pot meal, featuring savory Italian sausage, tender potatoes, kidney beans, and corn, all slow-cooked to perfection and topped with melted Colby Jack cheese.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Total Time 5 hours hrs 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 6 people

Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

• Large Pan
• Crock-Pot

Ingredients

  

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Main Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage mild or hot
• 1 cup yellow onion finely diced (1 onion)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound baby red potatoes unpeeled
• 1 green bell pepper
• 14.5 ounces kidney beans
• 1-1/2 cups frozen corn
• 1 (14.5-ounces) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese

Optional Toppings

• Fresh cilantro optional
• Sour cream optional

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Heat oil in a large pan, brown and crumble the Italian sausage and finely diced yellow onion with salt and pepper, then transfer the mixture to the Crock-Pot.
• Thinly slice the baby red potatoes, chop the green bell pepper, drain and rinse the kidney beans, then add them to the Crock-Pot along with frozen corn, undrained fire-roasted diced tomatoes, minced garlic, and chili powder, stirring to combine.

Cooking

• Cover and cook the casserole in the Crock-Pot on high for 2-4 hours or on low for 4-6 hours until the potatoes are tender, then gently stir and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
• Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly on top, cover again, and let the cheese melt for 5-10 minutes.
• Serve the hot casserole with optional toppings such as fresh cilantro and sour cream.

Notes

This hearty Crockpot Cowboy Casserole is perfect for a comforting family meal. Adjust the spice level of the Italian sausage to your preference for a milder or hotter kick. For best results, ensure potatoes are thinly sliced for even cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 30gSodium: 700mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5g

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