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The Ultimate Handoff: A Perfect Crock Pot Cowboy Casserole

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A comforting, hands-off recipe for Crock Pot Cowboy Casserole featuring savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and a rich, cheesy sauce—ideal for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

1 large yellow onion, sliced into half-moons

2 pounds lean ground beef

4 cloves fresh garlic, minced

3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into half-inch cubes

Two 15-ounce cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed

One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted variety recommended)

One 10.5-ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup

One half-cup beef broth

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste

One half teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef with the sliced onion in a large skillet until no pink remains. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic for the final minute.

2. Transfer the cooked meat mixture to the slow cooker. Add the cubed potatoes, kidney beans, black beans, and the undrained diced tomatoes.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, beef broth, chili powder, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until uniform.

4. Pour the sauce over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Gently fold all ingredients together, ensuring the potatoes are coated and submerged.

5. Secure the lid. Cook on the LOW setting for seven to eight hours, or on the HIGH setting for three and a half to four hours.

6. Once the potatoes are fork-tender, sprinkle the freshly shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer.

7. Replace the lid and allow the cheese to melt fully using the residual heat, which should take ten to fifteen minutes. Serve piping hot.

Notes

Browning the beef first is non-negotiable for true flavor depth.

Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for the best, smoothest melt.

The seven to eight hour cook on LOW is always preferred over HIGH for texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.flavourrecipe.com/crock-pot-cowboy-casserole/