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In the world of home cooking, few things bring as much comfort and satisfaction as a slow cooker meal. These culinary marvels allow busy home cooks to prepare delicious, hearty dishes with minimal effort, making them the perfect solution for anyone juggling a hectic schedule. One dish that embodies the essence of slow cooking is the Cowboy Casserole. This quintessential comfort food brings together a delightful medley of flavors and textures, resulting in a meal that is both filling and satisfying.

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole - An Organized Chaos

A delightful twist on a classic dish.
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Ingredients
  

1 lb ground beef or turkey

1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained

1 can (10.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies

1 cup frozen diced bell peppers (or fresh if you prefer)

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 bag (12 oz) frozen tater tots

Instructions
 

In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and set aside.

    In your slow cooker, combine the cooked meat, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Stir well to mix all ingredients.

      Season the mixture with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir again to distribute the spices evenly.

        If using fresh diced bell peppers, consider cooking them down with the onion and garlic in the skillet before adding them to the slow cooker for extra flavor.

          Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 hours or high heat for 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

            About 30 minutes before serving, add half of the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the mixture in the slow cooker.

              Evenly distribute the frozen tater tots on top of the cheese layer and cover the slow cooker again. Cook for an additional 30 minutes on high or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.

                Once done, remove the lid and top with the remaining cheese. Close the lid for another 5-10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.

                  Serve hot, garnishing with chopped parsley or green onions if desired. Enjoy your delicious cowboy casserole!

                    Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes | Servings: 6