Crock Pot Beefy Potatoes Taco Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced into small cubes
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend recommended)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped green onions, chopped cilantro, jalapeños, or salsa
Instructions:
- Preparation:
- Start by peeling and dicing the potatoes into small, even-sized cubes to ensure they cook evenly.
- Open the can of diced tomatoes, but do not drain them.
- Brown the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it is fully browned. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Use a spatula to break the meat into small crumbles as it cooks.
- Once browned, drain off any excess fat.
- Combine Ingredients in Crock Pot:
- Transfer the browned ground beef into your crock pot.
- Add the diced potatoes to the crock pot.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning mix evenly over the beef and potatoes.
- Pour the undrained can of diced tomatoes over the mixture. The liquid from the tomatoes will help cook the potatoes and blend the flavors together.
- Cook:
- Stir all the ingredients in the crock pot to ensure the taco seasoning is evenly distributed.
- Cover with the lid and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your crock pot model. The casserole is ready when the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Add Cheese:
- About 10 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Cover and let the cheese melt completely.
- Serve:
- Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, your casserole is ready to serve.
- Spoon the casserole onto plates or bowls, and add any optional toppings you like, such as sour cream, chopped green onions, chopped cilantro, jalapeños, or salsa.
- Enjoy:
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious and easy Crock Pot Beefy Potatoes Taco Casserole!
Tips:
- For added flavor, you can sauté some diced onions and garlic with the ground beef.
- If you like a bit of heat, consider adding some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce when adding the diced tomatoes.
This hearty and flavorful dish is perfect for a family dinner, and the crock pot makes it incredibly convenient!