Name: Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (cooked); 1 yellow onion (diced); 2 tsp garlic (minced); 28 oz diced potatoes; 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (10 oz); 1 can cheddar cheese soup (10.5 oz); ½ cup sour cream; 1 tbsp taco seasoning; 2½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)

If you're craving a cozy, cheesy dinner with a little Mexican flair, you'll love this Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe. It’s all about tender beef, soft potatoes, and that classic taco taste in one easy slow-cooked dish.

A close-up of a rich, creamy cheesy dish showing multiple layers mixed together in a white bowl set on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer has cooked ground meat and small soft potato cubes, creating a textured, chunky base in light brown and pale yellow shades. Above this, a thick layer of melted bright orange cheddar cheese covers the meat and potatoes, with a glossy, slightly oily surface. There are small diced red bell peppers and evenly scattered chopped green onions on top, adding bright red and green colors that stand out. A wooden spoon lifts a serving, showing the thick, gooey cheese stretching and coating the mixed ingredients in a warm, comforting way. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Whenever I make this Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole, it never fails to bring warmth and smiles to the table. It’s so simple yet packed with flavor, making busy weeknights a total breeze.

Hands-Off Cooking: Just toss everything in your Crockpot and let it work its magic while you go about your day.
Hearty & Comforting: The tender diced potatoes soak up all the savory, cheesy taco goodness.
Flavorful Layers: Ground beef cooked with onions and garlic creates a deeply satisfying base.
Customizable Toppings: Easily add fresh jalapeños, cilantro, or sour cream to make it your own.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When gathering your ingredients for this Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole, look for fresh and flavorful components to enhance that slow-cooked magic. Quality cheddar cheese and fresh diced potatoes make a huge difference here.

Flat lay of cooked browned ground beef in a simple white ceramic bowl, a whole yellow onion with smooth skin, a small white bowl with minced garlic, diced potatoes in a white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of diced fresh tomatoes mixed with chopped green chilies, a small white bowl containing creamy cheddar cheese soup, a small white bowl of thick sour cream, a small white bowl with vibrant reddish-brown taco seasoning powder, and shredded bright orange cheddar cheese spread evenly in a white ceramic bowl, all arranged symmetrically with fresh natural textures and colors, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground beef: I like to brown it first to develop rich, caramelized flavors before tossing it in the slow cooker.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth when cooked with the beef.
Garlic: A little minced garlic amps up the savory notes beautifully.
Diced potatoes: These soften perfectly in the crockpot, soaking up all those taco-seasoned juices.
Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies: Bring in just the right amount of zesty, slightly spicy tomato flavor.
Cheddar cheese soup: Creates a creamy base that binds everything together.
Sour cream: Adds richness and a subtle tang to balance the savory flavors.
Taco seasoning: Packs the signature Mexican-inspired spice blend that defines the dish.
Cheddar cheese (shredded and divided): Melts into gooey, cheesy goodness with some stirred in and some topped for that irresistible crust.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe is wonderfully versatile, so don’t be afraid to get creative! Whether you want to turn up the heat, sneak in some extra veggies, or make it a bit lighter, you can easily tailor it to suit your tastes and dietary needs.

Spicy Kick: I love adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or swapping in a hot taco seasoning blend for a more fiery casserole that wakes up your taste buds.
Veggie Boost: Sometimes I toss in diced bell peppers or corn to sneak in extra veggies and add texture—it keeps things fresh and colorful.
Cheese Lovers: Don’t be shy about experimenting with different cheeses like pepper jack or a Mexican blend to change up the flavor profile.
Healthier Swap: For a lighter version, use lean ground turkey instead of beef and low-fat sour cream, but keep the delicious taco seasoning to maintain that authentic flavor.
Potato Alternatives: If you prefer, cubed fresh potatoes work just as well—just keep an eye on cooking time since fresh potatoes might take a little longer to soften.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe

The image shows two white plates holding a cheesy potato and ground meat dish with visible chunks of potatoes and small pieces of red tomato mixed in, covered in melted yellow-orange cheese and topped with chopped green onions. Behind the plates, there are two white ramekins, one filled with shredded orange cheddar cheese and the other with white sour cream. A red and white checkered cloth is draped on a white marbled surface beneath everything, adding a cozy touch. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Sauté the Aromatics

Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef along with the diced yellow onion and minced garlic. Cook everything until the beef is fully browned and the onions have softened nicely. This step is crucial because the caramelized bits on the meat not only add amazing flavor but also give your casserole a richer texture. Don’t forget to drain off any excess grease before moving on—this keeps your dish from turning oily and heavy.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Crockpot

Transfer your cooked beef mixture to the Crockpot. Next, add the diced potatoes, cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, taco seasoning, and the can of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies. Stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until everything is evenly combined. You’ll notice the creamy texture coming together beautifully—this is the heart of the casserole, melding all those classic taco flavors with tender potatoes and cheese.

Step 3: Let It Slow Cook

Set your Crockpot to low and cook for 4 hours, or if you’re short on time, use the high setting for 2 hours and 30 minutes. The slow cook method allows the potatoes to soften perfectly and the flavors to meld into a comforting, cohesive meal. You’ll want to start smelling those spices and cheese melting together about halfway through—a great sign that dinner is on its way!

Step 4: Add the Cheesy Topping

Once the cooking time is up, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Leave the Crockpot uncovered and cook for another 15 minutes. This final step lets the cheese melt into a gorgeous golden layer that adds a gooey, irresistible finish you’re going to love.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Spoon the hearty casserole onto plates and jazz it up with your favorite toppings like sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, or a dollop of extra sour cream. Whether it’s a family dinner or a casual get-together, this comforting, cheesy Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Grab a fork and dive in!

Top Tip

When making your Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe, a few simple tips can really elevate the final dish and make the whole process smoother. These little touches come from real kitchen experience and go a long way toward tasty success.

Brown the Beef Well: Taking the extra time to brown your ground beef until it develops a nice caramelized crust adds incredible depth and texture to your casserole. It’s worth the effort before dumping it into the slow cooker.
Drain Excess Grease: Make sure to drain off any fat from the ground beef after cooking. This prevents your casserole from turning greasy, resulting in a much cleaner, balanced dish.
Customize the Heat: Adjust the spice level by choosing your favorite taco seasoning blend or even adding a pinch of cayenne pepper. I love this flexibility because you can make it just right for your family’s tastes.
Fresh Toppings Make a Difference: Don’t skip garnishes like sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, or fresh cilantro. They give each bite a bright punch of freshness and add a lovely contrast to the creamy, cheesy casserole.

How to Serve Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe

A large black bowl holds four separate layers of ingredients side by side from left to right: a pile of white diced vegetables mixed with small bits of green and red, a stack of smooth yellow butter blocks with some shredded yellow cheese scattered on top, and a heap of uncooked ground meat topped with a sprinkling of brown seasoning powder. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

One of the best parts about this Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe is how versatile it is when it comes to toppings. I love adding fresh diced tomatoes for brightness, sliced jalapeños for a bit of heat, chopped cilantro for that fresh, citrusy contrast, and a dollop of sour cream to balance all the spices with creaminess. Don’t forget some sliced green onions or a sprinkle of extra shredded cheddar cheese for a final flourish!

Side Dishes

This casserole is wonderfully hearty on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, consider serving it with a side of Spanish rice or Mexican street corn for some extra flavor. A crisp green salad dressed with lime vinaigrette or even warm tortillas on the side make great accompaniments that complement the rich, cheesy beef and potato bake.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days, which is perfect for quick lunches or dinners later in the week.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully. To freeze, let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. It will keep well for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20–25 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melty again. Alternatively, you can microwave single servings for 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway, for a speedy meal without sacrificing taste.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of canned diced potatoes?

Absolutely! You can cube fresh potatoes, but keep in mind they may require a slightly longer cook time in the Crockpot to become tender. Monitor the texture and adjust accordingly.

Is it possible to make this casserole spicier?

Yes! To ramp up the heat, use a spicy taco seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños into the mix before cooking. Topping with sliced jalapeños also boosts the spice after cooking.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

You can assemble the ingredients in the Crockpot insert, cover, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, just transfer the insert to the Crockpot base and follow the cooking times. This makes dinnertime super easy.

What if I don’t have cheddar cheese soup?

If cheddar cheese soup isn’t on hand, you can substitute with a homemade cheese sauce or use cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup mixed with shredded cheddar cheese to achieve a similar creamy texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Crockpot Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort meals for busy weeknights. It’s a wonderful blend of hearty potatoes, flavorful seasoned beef, and cheesy goodness, all slow-cooked to tender perfection. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something cozy and satisfying, this casserole hits all the right notes. Don’t forget to add your favorite fresh toppings to make each serving your own special creation — and enjoy every delicious bite!