Crockpot Taco Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
This Crockpot Taco Hash Brown Casserole is a hearty, flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy days. Ground beef seasoned with taco spices is combined with shredded hash browns, salsa, cheese, and creamy soup, then slow-cooked to perfection. It’s an easy, comforting dish that can be customized with your favorite toppings like tomatoes, jalapenos, and sour cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (LOW) or 2 to 2½ hours (HIGH)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (LOW) or 2 hours 30 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1.5 to 2 lbs Ground Beef (or any type of ground meat you prefer)
- 3 tbsp Taco Seasoning (divided into 2 tbsp and 1 tbsp)
- 1/4 Cup Water (for taco meat)
Casserole Base
- 26 oz Bag of Frozen Shredded Hash Browns, partially thawed
- 1 Cup Salsa (store bought or homemade)
- 4 Cups Shredded Cheese (sharp cheddar and pepper jack, divided into 2 cups and 2 cups)
- 10.5 oz Can of Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
Optional Toppings
- Tomatoes
- Jalapenos
- Lettuce
- Olives
- Sour Cream
- Hot Sauce
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Season the Meat: Add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of water to the browned beef. Stir well and simmer for a few minutes to let the flavors blend and the seasoning dissolve.
- Assemble the Casserole: In a crockpot, layer the partially thawed shredded hash browns. Add the seasoned beef, salsa, 2 cups of shredded cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 2½ hours, until the hash browns are tender and the casserole is bubbly.
- Add Cheese Topping: About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese evenly over the casserole. Cover and let the cheese melt during the final 30 minutes of cooking.
- Serve and Garnish: Once cooked, serve hot with your choice of optional toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapenos, lettuce, olives, sour cream, or hot sauce to enhance the flavor and add fresh textures.
Notes
- Partially thaw the hash browns before adding to the crockpot to ensure even cooking.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef for a leaner option.
- Adjust taco seasoning quantity to taste if you prefer milder or spicier flavors.
- If you want to make this dish gluten-free, ensure the cream of chicken soup and taco seasoning are gluten-free certified.
- This casserole stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheats nicely.
Keywords: crockpot casserole,taco hash brown casserole,slow cooker ground beef casserole,taco casserole,hash brown dinner
