Can I use frozen corn instead of canned?

Absolutely! I do this all the time when my pantry's bare. Just toss in about 1.5 cups frozen corn straight from the freezer - no need to thaw. It'll cook perfectly in the slow cooker and adds a nice little texture pop.

How can I make it spicier?

Oh, I love this question! My favorite ways to turn up the heat: add a diced jalapeño with the onions, mix in a teaspoon of chili powder, or top with sliced pickled jalapeños at the end. My brother-in-law swears by adding a dash of cayenne to the beef while browning.

Can I prep this ahead?

You bet! I often brown the beef and chop the onions the night before. Just store them together in the fridge, then dump everything in the slow cooker in the morning. The flavors actually develop even better this way!

Why do you use cheese soup instead of just more shredded cheese?

Great question! The soup creates this amazing creamy base that holds everything together, while the shredded cheese on top gives that melty, gooey finish. Trust me, the combo is magic - but in a pinch, you can mix 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp cornstarch and extra shredded cheese.

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole: 1 Pot of Hearty Comfort

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A hearty and easy slow cooker cowboy casserole with ground beef, beans, and cheese. Perfect for family dinners.

Author: PureCookingJoy
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 mins
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Lactose

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef
1 can (15 oz) baked beans
1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup diced onions
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
Add diced onions and cook until softened.
Transfer the beef and onions to the slow cooker.
Stir in baked beans, corn, cheddar cheese soup, garlic powder, and paprika.
Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, add diced bell peppers or jalapeños.
Serve with cornbread or a side salad.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 350
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 60mg

Find it online: https://purecookingjoy.com/slow-cooker-cowboy-casserole-recipe/