Description
Rustic cowboy-style beef and bean slow cooker casserole brings rugged western flavors straight to your dinner table. Packed with robust ingredients and simple cooking techniques, this comforting meal delivers rich, satisfying goodness you’ll crave after a long day’s work.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cups (300 grams) frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8 ounces / 227 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping:
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 cups (680 grams) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- In a skillet, thoroughly brown ground beef and onions over medium heat until meat is fully cooked and onions are translucent. Drain excess fat completely.
- Transfer beef mixture to slow cooker, incorporating frozen vegetables, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Gently blend all ingredients.
- Enhance flavor profile by adding Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Thoroughly distribute seasonings.
- Carefully arrange tater tots in a uniform layer across the entire surface of the slow cooker mixture.
- Secure lid and cook on low temperature for 4-5 hours or high temperature for 2-3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to become tender.
- Approximately 30 minutes before serving, generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over tater tots. Replace lid and allow cheese to melt completely.
- Remove lid, let casserole rest for 5-10 minutes to stabilize, then serve piping hot for maximum enjoyment of this rustic, comforting dish.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a watery, greasy casserole and ensure a rich, concentrated flavor.
- Customize vegetable mix by using fresh or frozen seasonal vegetables for added nutrition and variety.
- Consider using lean ground beef or turkey for a healthier protein option that reduces overall fat content.
- Prepare tater tots with a light spray of cooking oil before adding to create a crispier, golden-brown topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg