There’s something about a slow cooker meal that feels like home. The kind of dinner that fills the kitchen with warmth long before you even lift the lid. That’s what I love most about this Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole—it’s hearty, cheesy, and made with simple ingredients you already have.
I first stumbled across this recipe years ago after a long day at the bakery. I wanted something easy that didn’t need babysitting, something comforting enough for my whole family. I tossed everything—potatoes, ground beef, cheese, and a few pantry staples—into my slow cooker, crossed my fingers, and came home to the smell of slow-simmered heaven.
This dish has become our go-to for easy dinners for families, especially during busy weeks. Whether you call it a Hotdish, Crockpot Casserole, or Cowboy Potato Bake, it’s one of those timeless, crowd-pleasing recipes that never disappoints.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole
- Simple and hearty: A classic comfort meal that practically cooks itself.
- Family favorite: Layers of potatoes, beef, cheese, and creaminess everyone loves.
- Budget-friendly: Made with affordable pantry staples and fridge basics.
- Flexible: Add veggies or swap proteins to make it your own.
- Perfect for all seasons: From cozy fall suppers to overnight crockpot dinners on busy nights.
It’s exactly the kind of soft food crockpot recipe that makes weeknight cooking a little easier—and a lot tastier.
Ingredients
Main Casserole:
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of cheddar soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 4–5 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup cooked bacon bits (optional, but classic “cowboy” style)
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the beef:
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onions until beef is browned and onions are soft. Drain grease. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute more. - Mix the sauce:
In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of cheddar soup, sour cream, milk, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. - Layer the casserole:
Spray your slow cooker with nonstick spray. Layer half the potatoes in the bottom, half the beef mixture, half the sauce, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers, finishing with cheese on top. - Cook low and slow:
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender. - Add toppings:
Sprinkle with bacon bits and sliced green onions just before serving. - Serve:
Scoop generous spoonfuls into bowls or plates and enjoy the melty, savory goodness.
The smell alone will have your family gathered around the kitchen before you even call them.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole
There’s nothing fancier—or cozier—than serving this Cowboy Potato Casserole family-style. I like to spoon it straight from the slow cooker into a big ceramic bowl, letting that golden cheese stretch as it hits the table.
Serve it with a side salad or a warm vegetable for balance. Steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a crisp apple slaw pair beautifully with the richness of the dish.
If you want a full country-style supper, try serving it alongside cornbread or dinner rolls to soak up every last bit of sauce.
This dish also makes a wonderful part of a larger Crockpot dinner lineup. For variety, pair it with another easy comfort meal like Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes for those who want extra protein, or add a side of Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese for the ultimate cheesy feast.
And if you’re in the mood for a warm, spicy kick, Best Ground Beef Stovetop Chili makes a fun complement—serve both dishes for a crowd-pleasing “Cowboy Night.”
How to Store Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole
This casserole keeps beautifully, making it ideal for make-ahead or meal-prep dinners.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm individual servings in the microwave or reheat larger portions in a covered baking dish at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.
If you want to prep ahead, assemble all ingredients in the slow cooker insert, cover, and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, just pop it into the base and turn it on—perfect for overnight crockpot dinner recipes.
Tip: The flavors deepen overnight, making this even better the next day.
Tips to Make Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole
- Use thin potato slices: Uniform, thin slices (about 1/8 inch) cook evenly and soak up flavor.
- Choose the right cheese: Sharp cheddar adds richness, but you can mix in Monterey Jack for extra meltiness.
- Add a layer of bacon: Because cowboys (and kids!) love it.
- Don’t skip the sauce mix: The combination of soup and sour cream makes everything silky and flavorful.
- Avoid overcooking: Once potatoes are tender, turn off the heat—keeping it on too long can make it mushy.
- Upgrade with extras: Add corn, black beans, or diced green chilies for a Tex-Mex twist.
It’s one of those cheesy crockpot meals that’s easy to love—and hard to mess up.
Variations of Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole
- Cowboy Breakfast Casserole: Add scrambled eggs, sausage, and peppers for a hearty morning version.
- Vegetarian Version: Swap ground beef for black beans and corn, and use cream of celery soup.
- Chicken Cowboy Casserole: Use shredded cooked chicken instead of beef.
- Bacon Lover’s Edition: Add two full layers of crispy bacon for bold flavor.
- Spicy Southwestern: Add jalapeños, chili powder, and pepper jack cheese.
- Loaded Potato Style: Top with extra cheese, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream before serving.
Each version has its charm—but they all share that same slow-cooked, creamy potato comfort.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use frozen hash browns instead of fresh potatoes?
Yes! Use 4 cups thawed hash browns and reduce cook time by about an hour.
Q2: Can I make this without canned soup?
You can use homemade white sauce (milk, butter, and flour) plus cheese instead.
Q3: What kind of potatoes work best?
Russets for classic texture or Yukon gold for creamy softness.
Q4: Can I double this recipe?
Yes, but increase cook time by 1–2 hours if using a 6-quart slow cooker.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole is pure comfort in a bowl—easy, cheesy, and always satisfying. It’s the kind of simple dinner crockpot recipe that brings everyone running to the kitchen, no matter the season.
Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest where I share cozy, easy-to-make baking recipes just like this one.
Print
Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Hearty, cheesy Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole made with ground beef, tender potatoes, and cheddar cheese. The perfect cozy crockpot dinner for family nights.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of cheddar soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4–5 russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
1. Brown ground beef and onion in skillet until cooked through. Drain grease.
2. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
3. In bowl, whisk together soups, sour cream, milk, and seasonings.
4. Spray slow cooker and layer half potatoes, half beef, half sauce, and 1 cup cheese.
5. Repeat layers, ending with cheese on top.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours until potatoes are tender.
7. Top with bacon bits and green onions before serving.
Notes
Use thinly sliced potatoes for even cooking.
For added spice, stir in diced jalapeños or chili powder.
Store leftovers refrigerated for 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 90mg