Slow Cooker Taco Casserole Recipe
This Slow Cooker Taco Casserole is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Ground beef seasoned with taco spices is combined with black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and bell peppers, then slow-cooked to meld all the delicious flavors together. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, it’s a comforting and satisfying dish that pairs well with classic taco toppings like sour cream and cilantro.
- Author: Windy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (low) or 2 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (low) or 2 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb lean ground beef (80/20)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade taco seasoning)
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (mix of colors)
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Brown the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Add taco seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning to the cooked beef and continue to cook for one additional minute to enhance the flavors.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Transfer the seasoned beef to your slow cooker. Add rinsed black beans, corn kernels, diced tomatoes, and chopped bell peppers. Mix everything thoroughly so the flavors distribute evenly.
- Cook in slow cooker: Cover and cook the mixture on low heat for 4 hours or on high heat for 2 hours. This allows the ingredients to meld and become tender.
- Add cheese topping: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover to let the cheese melt thoroughly.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the casserole hot, garnished with optional toppings such as sour cream and fresh cilantro for extra flavor and freshness.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based meat or extra beans.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Use low-sodium canned beans and tomatoes to reduce the overall sodium content.
Keywords: slow cooker, taco casserole, ground beef, black beans, cheddar cheese, mexican casserole, easy dinner