Description
This hearty Lumberjack Casserole is a comforting slow-cooker dish featuring lean ground beef, potatoes, onions, and a medley of flavorful seasonings combined with kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and creamy mushroom soup. Topped with sharp cheddar cheese, it’s an easy-to-make, filling meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb. lean ground beef (7% fat)
- 2 small russet potatoes, cubed
- 1 sweet yellow onion, diced
Seasonings and Canned Goods
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
- 15 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
- 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained
- 10.5 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
Toppings
- 8 oz. bag sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef and Onions: In a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop, cook the ground beef and diced onions together until the meat is browned and crumbled. Drain off any excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the cooked beef and onions to the slow cooker. Then add the cubed potatoes, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, pepper, petite diced tomatoes (with juices), drained kidney beans, and cream of mushroom soup. Stir to combine evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours. This slow cooking melds the flavors and tenderizes the potatoes and beef for a satisfying texture.
- Add Cheese and Serve: When cooking is complete, stir the casserole gently, then sprinkle the sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Allow the cheese to melt slightly before serving warm.
Notes
- For variations, substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter protein option.
- Add extra vegetables such as carrots, green beans, or mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor.
- Use Campbell’s tomato soup (undiluted) in place of the diced tomatoes for a different tomato base.
- Serve the casserole with a green salad and dinner rolls for a full, hearty meal.
- To stretch the dish and serve more people, serve the casserole over steamed white rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
