Print

Cozy Crockpot Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

crockpot ground beef and potato casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

A hearty, creamy slow cooker casserole featuring browned ground beef, thinly sliced Yukon Gold potatoes, and vegetables in a savory broth. This set-it-and-forget-it meal is naturally gluten-free, pantry-friendly, and delivers deep flavor with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced thin (1/8-inch)
  • 1 medium carrot, diced small
  • 1 cup green beans (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
  • 0.5 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Fresh chives, for garnish
  • Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no pink remains (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary, leaving a little for flavor.
  2. Stir minced garlic into the beef and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  3. While beef cooks, peel and slice potatoes thinly. Dice carrots and chop onions. Trim green beans if using fresh.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, dried thyme, dried parsley, black pepper, and half the salt until smooth.
  5. Spray the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  6. Layer half of the sliced potatoes on the bottom of the slow cooker.
  7. Add half of the browned beef mixture, followed by half of the onions and carrots.
  8. Repeat layers: remaining potatoes, remaining beef, and remaining vegetables.
  9. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the top.
  10. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are tender.
  11. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes until melted.
  12. Garnish with fresh chives and serve hot.

Notes

[‘Slice potatoes uniformly (about 1/8-inch thick) to ensure even cooking and prevent mushiness.’, ‘Browning the beef first adds significant flavor depth via the Maillard reaction; do not skip this step.’, ‘Start with a layer of potatoes on the bottom to prevent burning.’, ‘Taste the sauce before adding salt, as broth and cheese are salty.’, ‘For crunchy green beans, add them in the last hour of cooking.’, ‘This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but check labels on broth and Worcestershire sauce.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, crockpot, ground beef, potato casserole, comfort food, family dinner, one-pot meal, gluten-free, easy dinner

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/cozy-crockpot-ground-beef-and-potato-casserole/