Easy Crock Pot Cowboy Casserole (Slow Cooker)

Crock Pot Cowboy Casserole is one of those slow cooker recipes that just might become your weeknight dinner hero! Hearty veggies, beans, smoked sausage and seasonings cook low and slow and transform into a savory, mildly spicy, cozy dinner that’s not only budget-friendly but low effort, too! It is the epitome of perfect comfort food. 

If you’ve ever had a traditional Cowboy Casserole, you might be familiar with the combination of chili beans, ground beef, and a golden topping of tater tots or hash browns.

As much as we love the original, this easy Crockpot cowboy casserole recipe is a much lightened up spin on the classic that doesn’t sacrifice all those delicious flavors.

We’re skipping the tater tots for tender potatoes and swapping in smoky sausage to give this dish an irresistible, camp-out taste!

Why This Cowboy Casserole Recipe Works

A traditional cowboy casserole features ground meat, but by using smoked sausage, you’ll make dinner prep even easier.

There’s no large skillet required in this slow cooked recipe- it all gets piled into the slow cooker and is truly a one-pot meal. 

Simple ingredients come together in this hearty slow cooked dinner, which you could also consider to be a cowboy stew recipe of sorts.

When cooler temps appear, we’re all about easy Crockpot meals like our Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix, Slow Cooker Chicken Paprikash and Crockpot Chicken Thighs and Vegetables. 

This one is extra easy, even for a slow cooker meal. It’s perfect for a busy day when all you need is dinner prepped in a jiffy and waiting for you when you walk in the door. 

Here’s why you’ll love it:

• With a rich, mildly spicy tomato sauce loaded with vegetables and smoky sausage, add this to your list of favorite recipes and easy meals to make again and again. 
•  Bold flavors intensify over time, which means leftover stew tastes even better the next day.
•  You can adapt this recipe with different vegetables of choice based on what you have on hand. Try sweet potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower.

Ingredients for the Cowboy Casserole

Here’s a look at what you will need to make this slow cooker cowboy casserole: 

• Onion. Diced onions give the dish a deep, savory flavor. 
•  Garlic. Another savory addition that is simply a must.
•  Red bell pepper. For a sweet pepper flavor. 
•  Jalapeño. A fresh jalapeño, seeded and diced, adds just the right amount of heat to this Crockpot recipe.
•  Yukon or red potatoes. They turn out deliciously tender and add heartiness to the stew. 
•  Beans. A medley of pinto, red, and cannellini beans adds a delicious variety to this meal. 
•  Diced tomatoes. A can of diced tomatoes and a second can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (we use Rotel), create a yummy, tomato base with a little heat. 
•  Frozen corn. Use frozen, whole kernel corn and make sure it’s thawed before putting it into the Crockpot. 
•  Seasonings. A combination of salt, cumin powder, chili powder and black pepper give this recipe a little bit of heat and flavor.
•  Beef broth. A little bit of beef broth adds moisture and helps everything cook until tender. 
•  Smoked beef sausage. Use your favorite smoky sausage of choice, cut into 2-inch pieces. 
•  Chopped parsley. For a pretty garnish!

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole Recipe

This delicious recipe is a breeze to pull together. The cook time will vary based on your slow cooker temperature setting, but it’s an easy recipe to prep in the morning just before heading out the door. 

Here’s a look at the process but be sure to check out the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all of the details.

Dish the casserole into shallow bowls garnished with the chopped parsley. You can add your favorite toppings, like sour cream or a dash of hot sauce to up the heat.

This Crockpot cowboy casserole is extra tasty with a slice of hot, buttery cornbread! 

Pro Tips for Crock Pot Success

• The great thing about this easy crock pot recipe is that it can be prepared without any pre-cooking. If you’d like to substitute the smoked sausage with lean ground beef (or even ground turkey), we recommend that you brown the meat in a skillet first. Then add the cooked ground beef to the crock pot with the rest of the ingredients. 
•  We used tiny, waxy yellow potatoes and left them whole. If using larger potatoes like Russet potatoes or sweet potatoes, we recommend cutting them in ½-inch cubes or thick slices.
•  The smoky flavor from the sausages adds a delicious cook-out flavor to the casserole meal.
•  This casserole is mildly spicy. For less heat, you can omit the jalapeño.
• For a gooey, cheesy topping add some shredded cheese to the top when it is finished cooking.  
•  Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. This meal is also great for meal prep.

Helpful Tools for This Crockpot Casserole

Here are some items to help with all of your slow cooker recipes. Some of the following are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission if you click on these links and purchase something. You don’t pay any extra, but it will help us keep the lights on. 

• 6 quart Crock-pot
• Crock-pot slow cooker liners
• Cutting board
• Quality knife

More Recipes You Will Love:

Nothing brings the family together quite like a warm and delicious meal simmering in the slowcooker crock, filling the air with the comforting aroma of good ole home cooking. Here are some crockpot wonders that are perfect for those cozy evenings of eating and sharing.

• Slow Cooker Green Chicken Chile
• Crock Pot Beef Cheese Dip
• Slow Cooker Chicken Bone Broth
• Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin
• Slow Cooker Tri Tip
• Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup