Crockpot ground beef casserole is an easy weeknight dinner made with ground beef, corn, pasta, onions, and peppers that are all seasoned well and topped with melty cheese.

This recipe is also part of my collection of budget ground beef recipes.

overhead photo of Crockpot Ground Beef Casserole

Why this recipe works

If you’re looking for an easy dump-and-go meal to use up some ground beef, this crockpot ground beef casserole is the perfect solution. Ground beef casserole quickly became one of my most popular recipes on the blog, so making a slow cooker-friendly option was a must. It has all the same tasty components except it’s made in the crockpot instead of a baking dish.

Using simple ingredients that provide flavorful results, this cheesy pasta and ground beef casserole is definitely one you’ll want to keep in the dinner rotation!

Related Recipe – Ground Beef Stroganoff – and check out even more ground beef casseroles to try!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Crockpot Ground Beef Casserole ingredients

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

MEAT – You can use ground beef, ground turkey, or even ground chicken depending on your flavor preferences. Other ground meats can be substituted as well such as venison or bison, making this a very versatile recipe. Ground Italian sausage mixed with ground beef or turkey would be a great flavor combination too!

ADDITIONS – While I have listed Red Gold diced tomatoes in the ingredients list, you don’t have to use that brand. The key was that they have green chiles already added. If you can’t find them, you can use a regular can of tomatoes and add a 4-ounce can of green chiles. Instead of orange bell pepper, you can use red – or omit it altogether if you must. You can also use drained canned corn in place of frozen corn.

CHEESE – The cream cheese adds lots of creaminess to this dish, I wouldn’t recommend skipping it. You can find a Mexican cheese blend already shredded at the grocery store. However, if you have a preference for cheese feel free to use whatever you like. I do recommend that you have a cheddar cheese and a jack cheese in the mix.

How to Make Crockpot Ground Beef Casserole

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef. Drain beef.
Place drained ground beef in the bottom of the crockpot.
Add seasoning on top of the ground beef.
Add orange pepper, onion, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes & green chilies, frozen corn, cream cheese, 1 cup of cheese, and beef broth.
Stir to combine. Place lid on crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours
After the time is up, add the uncooked pasta to the crockpot and mix to combine.
Allow pasta to cook for 20 minutes.
Add remaining 1 cup of cheese, recover, and allow cheese to melt.
Top with chopped green onions. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover ground beef casserole in an air-tight container (or portioned into multiple containers for separate meals) in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Do I have to brown the ground beef first?

I always recommend browning the ground beef in a skillet before adding it to a crockpot so your dish isn’t swimming with fat. Even if you use leaner ground beef or a lean meat of choice, it’s always preferred to brown it before adding it to a slow cooker. You do not have to fully cook the ground beef before adding it to the crockpot, just enough to give it an edge. I promise the texture of the beef is much better when done this way!

What else can I add to this dish?

The fun part about this recipe is how versatile it can be. Feel free to add a can of black beans (drained and rinsed) into the mix as well as veggies like green beans, frozen peas, or even cubed potatoes.

Do I cook the pasta before adding it to the crockpot?

No, you do not cook the pasta beforehand. Simply add it to the crockpot during step 6, after the other ingredients have cooked for 6 hours. Once added, you will allow it to cook for 20 minutes in the crockpot.

2 plates of Crockpot Ground Beef Casserole

Serving Suggestions

Crockpot ground beef casserole is filling on its own thanks to the pasta and ground beef, but crunchy bread on the side never hurt! A crisp dinner salad is always a welcome addition as well. Top with a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onion for garnish.

Looking for more delicious recipes? Check out my quick weeknight ground beef dinners.

More Crockpot Recipes

Looking for more ground beef ideas? See our collection of 90 best ground beef recipes here.

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