Description
This Slow Cooker Amish Harvest Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish featuring ground beef, a variety of fresh vegetables, and creamy mushroom soup, all slow-cooked to perfection. Ideal for busy days, this casserole offers a warm, flavorful meal with minimal hands-on time and a deliciously melty cheddar cheese topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 cup potatoes, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
Other Ingredients
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once cooked, drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, which enhances the flavor base of the casserole.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the beef and onion mixture to the slow cooker, ensuring you scrape all contents from the skillet.
- Add Vegetables: Add carrots, diced potatoes, corn kernels, and chopped green beans to the slow cooker on top of the beef mixture, distributing them evenly.
- Mix in Soup and Seasonings: Pour in the cream of mushroom soup and season with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried parsley. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients well, ensuring flavors meld during cooking.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Cook for 6 to 8 hours, or until the vegetables are tender and flavors are fully developed.
- Add Cheese Topping: About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Recover and allow the cheese to melt and become bubbly.
- Serve: Once the cheese is melted, serve the casserole hot. Optionally, garnish with additional dried parsley or fresh herbs for added color and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- If you prefer, use fresh mushrooms instead of canned cream of mushroom soup, but increase cooking time slightly.
- For a vegetarian variation, omit the beef and use plant-based ground meat or extra vegetables.
- Adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef can enhance the savory depth.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker casserole, Amish casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, slow cooker recipes
