Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

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Slow cooker cowboy casserole combines ground beef, bacon, beans, and potatoes with classic southwestern flavors and BBQ sauce to create a zesty dish that makes a complete meal in every bowl.

Close up of cowboy casserole on a plate.

If you love the zesty, sweet, and spicy flavor of cowboy beans, then this slow cooker casserole is going to be right up your alley. This casserole makes a fantastic dinner, side dish, or addition to any potluck.

This was inspired by my cowboy beans recipe. It took that classic base and added bacon, ground beef, and a few other ingredients to make this delicious casserole. It makes a great dinner with a simple side like this focaccia bread.

Why You’ll Love Crock Pot Cowboy Casserole

This casserole requires just a few minutes of prep, and the slow cooker does the rest. It's meaty, zesty, and full of sweet and tangy flavor. There's a lot to love about this recipe!

It's a budget-friendly meal that feeds a big family without breaking the bank.
It uses simple ingredients you can find in your kitchen and your local grocery store.
It's freezer-friendly, so it's perfect for meal prep.
Its classic flavors make it a great summertime dish for dinner or parties.

Ingredients

Ground beef
Smoked Sausage
Yellow onion - diced
Yukon gold potatoes - cubed
Green pepper - chopped
Cheddar cheese - shredded and divided
Canned pork and beans
Black pepper
Chili powder
Yellow mustard
BBQ sauce

See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.

Flavor Variations and Substitutions

Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a kick of heat.
Change up the meat: Try using ground turkey, a mix of ground beef and pork, or chorizo in this recipe.
Taters: Add your favorite potatoes to make it your own. I like using varieties that don't require peeling, like Yukon gold or red potatoes. But you can always whip out the peeler and add russets in too.
Add Veggies: For a kick, make this casserole a complete meal by adding veggies like corn, mushrooms, or even green chilies. All of these options can be added right in without precooking them.

If you love Tex-Mex dishes like this, check out my crock pot beefy potato taco casserole.

How To Make Cowboy Casserole

Browned ground beef and onions in a skillet.

1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onions. Cook until browned and onions are soft. Drain off excess grease.

Overhead look at cheese, potatoes, spices, bbq sauce, sausage, ground beef, onions and green peppers in a slow cooker.

2: Add ground beef, sausage, onions, potatoes, green peppers, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, pork and beans, black pepper, chili powder, yellow mustard, and BBQ sauce. Mix until well combined.

All the ingredients mixed together in a slow cooker.

3: Cover and cook on high for 2½-3½ hours or low for 6-7 hours.

Melted cheese on top of cowboy casserole.

4: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and cover for 10 minutes.

Hint

It's important to drain the ground beef to prevent a greasy dish. Even lean ground beef will release some fat as it cooks.

Storage

Refrigerate this slow cooker cowboy casserole in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost before reheating.

To reheat the casserole, place it in a saucepan and cook it over medium-low heat until heated through.

A wooden spoon scooping cowboy casserole.

What To Serve With Cowboy Slow Cooker Casserole

This delicious casserole is beefy, cheesy, and loaded with Tex-Mex flavor. Its flavor profile makes it a great pairing with a wide variety of sides for a complete meal.

Tips

Cheese matters: For the best texture and flavor, use a good quality cheddar cheese. You can also experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack or pepper jack.
It's all about the beef: Higher-fat ground beef, like 80/20, adds richness and depth of flavor to the dish. Leaner ground beef will work, too, but you might miss out on some of that cowboy comfort food taste. Just make sure to drain off all that excess grease. Nobody likes a greasy casserole.

Overhead look at cowboy casserole on a plate.

Recipe FAQs

What is cowboy casserole?

Cowboy casserole is a variation of cowboy beans. It's a classic, Tex-Mex dish made with beef, bacon, beans, BBQ sauce, cheese, and potatoes of some kind.

Is cowboy casserole hot?

Cowboy casserole is more warm than hot. It's not an overly spicy dish. However, some versions use jalapenos for a hotter dish.

What kind of pork and beans are best for cowboy casserole?

You can use your favorite brand and variety of baked beans for cowboy casserole. They all work. The main thing is the fact that they're already cooked.

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