Description

A hearty, one-pot comfort food dinner featuring browned ground beef, frozen hash browns, and a creamy mushroom sauce, all slow-cooked until tender and topped with melted cheddar cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
32 ounces frozen hash browns (diced or shredded)
2 cans (10.5 ounces each) cream of mushroom soup
1 cup beef broth
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: Chopped green onions or crispy fried onions for garnish

Instructions

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess grease, leaving about a tablespoon if desired, and transfer to a bowl.
In the same skillet or a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker. Layer half of the frozen hash browns, half of the browned beef, and half of the soup mixture at the bottom.
Repeat the layers with the remaining hash browns, beef, and soup mixture.
Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours (or high for 2-3 hours) until hash browns are tender.
About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top and replace the lid to melt.
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken. Garnish with green onions if desired.

Notes

Do not thaw the hash browns before cooking; frozen hash browns hold their shape better. If the casserole is too runny, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes. For a vegetarian option, substitute beef with plant-based meat or mushrooms and use vegetable broth.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 650
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 900
Fat: 45
Saturated Fat: 18
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 3
Protein: 30

Keywords: slow cooker, cowboy casserole, ground beef, hash browns, comfort food, easy dinner, one pot meal, cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup