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Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Slow cooker cowboy casserole with seasoned ground beef, beans, and corn simmered until savory, then topped with melty cheddar and crispy tater tots. A hands-off dinner that bakes nothing and still delivers a hot, bubbly, cheesy finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Beef and vegetables
  • 1.5 lb ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 15 oz pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chiles
Seasonings
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.75 tsp kosher salt
Cheese and topping
  • 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 32 oz frozen tater tots
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped, for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven
  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Brown the beef
  1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef with the diced onion for 6–7 minutes, breaking up the beef as it cooks until no longer pink.
Assemble in the slow cooker
  1. Transfer the browned beef mixture to the crockpot and add the pinto beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chiles, chili powder, garlic powder, and kosher salt.
  2. Stir to combine, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top so it melts across the surface.
Add tater tots and cook
  1. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, pressing them lightly so they sit evenly.
  2. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours (or high for 2–3 hours) until the tater tots are cooked through and hot throughout.
Serve
  1. Garnish with the chopped fresh chives and serve warm.

Notes

For the best texture, keep the tater tots in a single layer so more edges crisp under the lid. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days; reheat in the oven or microwave until steaming. Freezing isn’t recommended because the tater tots can soften after thawing. Dietary swap: use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a lighter option with similar seasonings.