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Slow Cooker Taco Casserole Recipe

4.6 from 124 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Add taco seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning to the cooked beef and continue to cook for one additional minute to enhance the flavors.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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