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This Crockpot Ground Beef Potato Casserole is the kind of hearty, no-fuss meal that delivers big comfort with very little hands-on work. With seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, beans, corn, and rich tomato sauce all slow cooked together, every bite comes out warm, filling, and full of flavor. To round it out into a full comfort-food spread, serve it with Southern Cornbread or a slice of Garlic and Herb Bread.
What makes this version special is the way the layers cook low and slow, giving the potatoes time to soak up all that savory flavor from the beef, sauce, and seasonings. It’s simple, satisfying, and family-friendly, especially when topped with melted cheese, sour cream, and chives right before serving. For an easy side that balances the richness, pair it with Southern Coleslaw or Green Beans and Bacon.
🍽️ A Quick Look at the Recipe
Recipe Name: Crockpot Ground Beef Potato Casserole
⏱️ Ready In: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes on low, or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes on high
👨👩👧👦 Serves: 6
🥣 Key Ingredients: Ground beef, potatoes, kidney beans, corn, tomato sauce
📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free ingredients used, contains dairy if topped with cheese and sour cream
🔥 Why You’ll Love It: This is an easy crockpot dinner that’s hearty, budget-friendly, and packed with comfort-food flavor.
Key Ingredients
Ground Beef
Ground beef gives this casserole its hearty, savory base and makes it filling enough for a full meal. Browning it first also adds flavor and keeps the finished dish from turning greasy.
Potatoes
Potatoes make this dish extra satisfying and soak up all the seasoned tomato flavor as it cooks. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes both work well here.
Kidney Beans
Kidney beans add body, texture, and extra heartiness. They also help stretch the dish into an easy family-style dinner.
Corn
Corn brings a little sweetness that balances the savory beef and tomato sauce. It also adds texture and color that helps round out the dish.
Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce brings everything together and gives the casserole its rich, savory finish. It also helps keep the potatoes moist and flavorful as they cook.
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Base
Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease. Chop the potatoes into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly in the crockpot.
Step 2: Build the Flavor
Place the chopped potatoes in the bottom of the crockpot. Add the browned ground beef, then layer in the drained kidney beans and corn. Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the top and season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3: Cook and Control
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are tender. Avoid lifting the lid too often so the heat stays steady and the potatoes cook properly.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
During the last 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top and cover again until melted. Serve hot with sour cream and chopped chives if desired.
Expert Tips & Tricks
*Use Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier texture and Russets for a softer, more classic casserole bite.
*Do not skip browning the beef first or the casserole can turn greasy.
*To save time, brown the beef and chop the potatoes the night before.
*Taste before serving and add a little more salt or pepper if needed after the long cook time.
Variations
Cheesy Version: Stir some shredded cheese into the casserole before adding more on top.
Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne for extra heat.
Protein Swap: Use ground turkey or ground sausage instead of ground beef for a different flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve it with a piece of Southern Cornbread for a classic comfort-food pairing.
Add Garlic and Herb Bread if you want something buttery and flavorful on the side.
Pair it with Southern Coleslaw for a cool, creamy contrast.
Serve alongside Green Beans and Bacon for a hearty Southern-style vegetable side.
Add Southern Fried Cabbage if you want another rich, savory side dish.
For a sweeter bread option, try The Ultimate Honey Butter Cornbread Recipe.
Top each serving with sour cream, chopped chives, sliced jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor.
Notes
*Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
*Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
*You can adjust the seasoning at the end if the potatoes need a little more salt after cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. You can brown the beef, chop the potatoes, and drain the beans and corn ahead of time. Store everything separately in the refrigerator, then assemble and cook when ready.
How do I store leftovers?
Let the casserole cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months.
Can I substitute kidney beans?
Yes. Black beans or pinto beans work well and still keep the casserole hearty and balanced.
What’s the best way to reheat this?
Reheat in the microwave for quick servings or warm it on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water if needed to loosen it up.
Can I make this in the oven instead?
Yes. Assemble it in a covered baking dish and bake at 375°F until the potatoes are tender, usually about 50 to 70 minutes depending on how small they’re cut.
If you tried Crockpot Ground Beef Potato Casserole or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it turned out in the comments!
Summarize and Save
Crockpot Ground Beef Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lbs Ground Beef
- 4 cups Potatoes Chopped
- 15 oz Kidney Beans Drained & Rinsed
- 15 oz Corn Drained
- 15 oz Tomato Sauce
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Salt or To Taste
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 cup Shredded Cheese Optional
- Sour Cream Optional for Garnish
- Chopped Chives Optional for Garnish
Instructions
- In a skillet set over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Once done, drain off the excess grease so the casserole does not become oily during the slow cooking process.
- While the beef is cooking, wash and chop the potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Try to keep the pieces close in size so they soften evenly and finish cooking at the same time.
- Spread the chopped potatoes across the bottom of the crockpot in an even layer. Add the browned ground beef over the potatoes, then scatter the drained kidney beans and corn across the top.
- Pour the tomato sauce evenly over everything in the crockpot. Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper across the top so the seasoning distributes as the casserole cooks.
- Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The casserole is ready when the potatoes are fork tender and the mixture is hot and well combined.
- About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Cover again and let the cheese melt fully into the casserole.
- Once the cheese has melted, check the seasoning and adjust with a little more salt or pepper if needed. The potatoes can absorb a lot of flavor, so a final taste helps balance everything before serving.
- Spoon the casserole into bowls or onto plates and top with sour cream and chopped chives if desired. Serve it hot for a simple, hearty meal that works well for busy weeknights or relaxed family dinners.
Notes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Browning the beef first gives the casserole better flavor and texture.
- Leftovers reheat well and make a great next-day lunch.
- For extra flavor, add a little chili powder, diced onion, or jalapeños to the beef while browning.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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