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Easy Ground Beef Potato Bake

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

This comforting slow cooker dish combines layers of potatoes and seasoned ground beef with creamy soup and cheese, cooking slowly for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 15:51:50 GMT
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A cheesy layered casserole with ground beef, sliced potatoes, and fresh parsley. Pin it
A cheesy layered casserole with ground beef, sliced potatoes, and fresh parsley. | recipesbyclare.com

This slow cooker cowboy casserole started as my solution for busy weeknights but quickly became our family's most requested meal. The combination of creamy potatoes hearty beef and melty cheese creates pure magic in every bite.

What Makes This Special

There's something about letting these ingredients slowly cook together that creates the most amazing flavors. It's like a warm hug in a bowl perfect for those days when you need some serious comfort food.

Grab These Ingredients

  • Ground Beef: Nice and lean but not too lean.
  • Potatoes: Russets work best here.
  • Condensed Soup: The secret to that creamy sauce.
  • Milk: Makes everything extra rich.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Lots of it.
  • Seasonings: Simple but perfect.

Let's Get Cooking

Start With The Beef
Get it nice and brown with those onions and garlic.
Make It Creamy
Mix up that sauce until it's silky smooth.
Layer It Up
Like building delicious lasagna but with potatoes.
Low and Slow
Let that slow cooker work its magic all day.

My Best Tips

Cut those potatoes the same size they'll cook more evenly. That quick sauté of peppers with the beef adds so much flavor. And don't skip that final broil it makes the cheese absolutely perfect.

A close-up of a hearty casserole featuring ground beef, sliced potatoes, melted cheddar cheese, and garnished with parsley. Pin it
A close-up of a hearty casserole featuring ground beef, sliced potatoes, melted cheddar cheese, and garnished with parsley. | recipesbyclare.com

Mix It Up

Sometimes I use ground turkey or add extra veggies. The cheese options are endless too. My kids love when I use pepper jack for a little kick.

Perfect Pairings

We love this with warm crusty bread for soaking up that sauce. A simple green salad on the side makes it complete. Don't forget the sour cream on top.

Keeping Leftovers

This actually tastes even better the next day. Just keep it covered in the fridge and reheat slowly. It freezes great too perfect for busy weeks ahead.

Make It Easy

Do the prep work the night before when you have a few minutes. Then just dump and go in the morning. Coming home to this cooking is the best feeling.

Why Everyone Loves It

This casserole just hits all the right notes. It's filling comforting and so easy to make. Plus the leftovers are amazing if you have any.

Special Diet Tips

My gluten free friends make this with special soup and it works great. You can even make it dairy free with the right substitutes.

A Bit of History

These hearty casseroles come from old ranch cooking when folks needed filling easy meals. Now we get to enjoy that same comfort with modern convenience.

Perfect for Sharing

This is my go to for potlucks and family dinners. It travels well stays warm and everyone loves it. Plus it's easy to double for bigger crowds.

A casserole dish filled with layers of seasoned ground beef, sliced potatoes, cheddar cheese, and garnished with fresh parsley. Pin it
A casserole dish filled with layers of seasoned ground beef, sliced potatoes, cheddar cheese, and garnished with fresh parsley. | recipesbyclare.com

Breakfast Version

Try this with breakfast sausage and eggs mixed in. It makes an amazing brunch dish that'll keep you full all day.

Kid Approved

My little ones love helping layer everything in the slow cooker. They don't even notice the extra veggies I sneak in.

Budget Friendly

This stretches your grocery dollars without sacrificing flavor. Stock up on ingredients when they're on sale to make it even more affordable.

Layer Like a Pro

Even layers are key to perfect cooking. I spread everything out nice and flat no big clumps of ingredients.

Quick Shortcuts

Frozen potatoes work great when you're short on time. I keep cooked ground beef in the freezer too makes this even faster to throw together.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep this casserole the night before?
Yes, you can brown the meat and prep the vegetables ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator and assemble in the slow cooker the next morning.
→ What type of potatoes work best?
Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work well as they hold their shape during slow cooking. Cut them into even-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
→ Can I make this with different meat?
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or diced chicken. Just make sure to fully cook the meat before adding it to the slow cooker.
→ What if my casserole is too liquidy?
If there's too much liquid, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking. This helps excess moisture evaporate and thicken the sauce.
→ What sides go well with this?
Serve with crusty bread, biscuits, or a green salad. A dollop of sour cream or extra cheese makes great toppings.

Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole

A hearty slow cooker casserole featuring layers of potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese. Perfect comfort food for busy days.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
360 Minutes
Total Time
380 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 casserole)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 1/2 pounds ground beef.
02 1 onion, chopped.
03 3 cloves garlic, minced.
04 1 red bell pepper, diced.
05 5 large potatoes, peeled and chunked.
06 1 can (10.75 oz) cream of mushroom soup.
07 1/2 cup milk.
08 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
09 1 teaspoon salt.
10 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
11 1/4 teaspoon paprika.
12 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped.

Instructions

Step 01

Brown ground beef with onion, garlic, and bell pepper until meat is cooked and vegetables are tender. Drain fat.

Step 02

Combine cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, pepper, and paprika in a bowl.

Step 03

Layer half potatoes in slow cooker, top with half meat mixture and half soup mixture. Repeat layers.

Step 04

Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours until potatoes are tender.

Step 05

Add cheese on top, cook covered 20 more minutes until melted. Garnish with parsley.

Notes

  1. Can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
  2. Add extra vegetables like corn or carrots if desired.
  3. Top with crushed tortilla chips for crunch.

Tools You'll Need

  • Slow cooker.
  • Large skillet.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (cheese, milk, cream soup).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 420
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
  • Protein: 25 g