John Wayne casserole with tater tots is fun, satisfying, and loaded with seasoned ground beef, bell peppers, and onions that sit on a bed of golden tater tots topped with a creamy, cheesy layer. It’s all done in the slow cooker, which means you set it, forget it, then have something wholesome and delicious to come home to!
This slow cooker John Wayne casserole is adapted from the original with a couple of ingredient variations. It’s still the ultimate comfort food with layers of Southwestern flavors!
Instead of a biscuit crust, we’re using tater tots, and we don’t have any mayo in our sour cream layer. I figure, since John Wayne’s original version was actually vegetarian and has been revamped several times, there is definitely room for creativity!
I know we tend to think of casseroles as baked dishes, but using the crockpot is genius! It allows me to make things like slow cooker hashbrown casserole and slow cooker chicken enchilada casserole without having to keep a close eye on it.
So, whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or looking for an easy recipe that delivers big flavor, this John Wayne casserole with tater tots is for you!
Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s an all in one meal, you don’t even need a side dish!
- Once you brown the meat, the rest is dump-and-go.
- Customizable to suit your tastes.
- Feeds a crowd on a budget!
Helpful Tools
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
Jump- Lean ground beef: I use lean or even extra lean ground beef. 90/10 or 93/7 to avoid too much extra grease. You can use ground chicken or ground turkey instead if you prefer.
- Yellow onion and green bell pepper: These will be diced and cooked with the beef beforehand for flavor.
- Taco seasoning and water: You’ll use whatever the amount of water that is listed on the seasoning packet. If you’re using a homemade taco seasoning, you may need to add salt.
- Worcestershire sauce: Gives the meat mixture added depth of flavor.
- Frozen tater tots: No need to thaw them first. Otherwise, they’ll end up soggy.
- Sour cream and sharp cheddar cheese: For the creamy topping.
- Garlic powder and salt: Just a bit of seasoning for the sour cream mixture.
- Optional toppings: Diced tomatoes, jalapeno slices, green onions, and hot sauce.
How to make Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Jump- Step One: Cook the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain any grease and then add the onions and peppers to cook for another 2 minutes.
- Step Two: Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Continue cooking while stirring occasionally until thickened.
- Step Three: Add an even layer of frozen tater tots to the bottom of the prepared slow cooker (sprayed with a nonstick spray). Pour the meat mixture on top.
- Step Four: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, garlic powder, and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper. Spread it on top of the meat mixture.
- Step Five: Cover with the crockpot lid and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and cover with the lid until it melts. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Every slow cooker runs differently. Times given are a general recommendation and should be tested in your own slow cooker and adjusted as needed.
- If you do want to add a side to your John Wayne casserole with tater tots, an easy chopped veggie salad is perfect.
- To add heat, use spicy taco seasoning or mix in a can of spicy Rotel to the beef mixture.
- Swap the cheese. You can also use Monterey Jack or pepper jack if you prefer.
- For extra protein, drain and rinse a can of black beans or pinto beans and add that in.
- Throwing some corn in there, too, would be a nice nod to Southwestern flavor.
Storage & Reheating
How to store leftovers
Keep any casserole leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing Instructions
Once it has completely cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Keep frozen for up to 3 months; however, just know the sour cream layer may crack and change texture.
Reheating Instructions
Reheat any leftovers easily in the microwave. You can also use the oven for larger portions. The good news is, I think these leftovers taste even better than on day 1!
Need more crockpot casserole recipes? Try these:
Slow Cooker Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Slow Cooker Broccoli Casserole
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole
Click here to view my entire collection of slow cooker recipes.
Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole with Tater Tots
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 1 large green bell pepper diced
- 1 ounce taco seasoning
- ⅓ cup water or however much the taco seasoning packet calls for
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese divided
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Optional toppings
- Diced tomatoes
- Jalapeño slices
- Green onions
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until meat is browned, about 7-10 minutes. Drain grease, if necessary.1 pound lean ground beef
- Add onions and bell peppers and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Add taco seasoning, water, and Worcestershire sauce to skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally until thickened.1 large yellow onion, 1 large green bell pepper, 1 ounce taco seasoning, ⅓ cup water, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Add frozen tater tots to the bottom of prepared slow cooker in an even layer. Pour meat mixture on top.32 ounces frozen tater tots
- To a medium sized mixing bowl, add the sour cream, half of the cheddar cheese, and garlic powder. Stir until combined and season with salt & pepper, to taste.16 ounces sour cream, 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt, black pepper
- Spread the sour cream mixture on top of the meat mixture.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 6 hours.
- After cooking time is done, add remaining cheese on top, cover and let cheese melt, about 10-15 minutes.
- Serve garnished with diced tomatoes, jalapeno slices, green onions, and hot sauce, if desired.Diced tomatoes, Jalapeño slices, Green onions, Hot sauce
Notes
- I use a lean ground beef (93/7) but ground turkey or chicken can be used.
- Depending on which taco seasoning brand you use (or homemade taco seasoning), you may not need to add additional salt & pepper.
- Use frozen tater tots, do not thaw them first or they will be mushy.
- To add heat, use spicy taco seasoning or add a can of spicy Rotel to the meat mixture.
- For added protein, add in a can of drained & rinsed black or pinto beans.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- You can freeze for up to 3 months, however the sour cream layer may break in texture.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Did you make this recipe?
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Cooking now. So cooks way faster. Had it on low for three hours and wanted to burn and stick on sides… I turned it to warm because I want it for dinner. Scraped from sides inward. Will turn it back to low about an hour before dinner. What I tasted was good though.
Sometimes slow cooker timing is tricky. Report back after you’ve tried it fully 🙂
We loved it. Flavor was great. Cooking time was definitely faster for low setting. Worth trying!!!
FABULOUS casserole! This has become a favorite in the house. I add one can each of Rotel tomatoes, black beans, and corn. I serve it with sour cream and salsa. An amazingly satisfying dish that is easy to throw together and loved by all.
I’m so happy to hear that! Great additions. Thanks for letting me know 🙂