Slow Cooker Amish Country Tomato Beef Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Amish Country Tomato Beef Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for busy weeknights. Simple ingredients come together in the slow cooker to create a flavorful and satisfying meal with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 2 (10.5-ounce) cans condensed tomato soup
• 2 cups uncooked wide egg noodles
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Lightly grease a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker crock with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: Spread the raw ground beef evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker, breaking it up gently with your fingers or the back of a spoon into an even layer. Do not brown it first.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk the condensed tomato soup with 1 cup of water until smooth to thin it slightly.
4. Step 4: Pour the tomato soup mixture evenly over the raw ground beef, making sure it completely covers the meat to create the sauce foundation.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the uncooked egg noodles evenly over the tomato-covered beef layer and gently press them down with the back of a spoon so they settle into the sauce.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and half of the shredded cheddar cheese until combined. Dollop this mixture over the noodles in several spoonfuls, then gently spread it into a loose, uneven layer.
7. Step 7: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the beef is cooked through, noodles are tender, and the casserole is bubbly around the edges. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking.
8. Step 8: Once done, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let sit on LOW or WARM for about 10 minutes until the cheese melts.
9. Step 9: Stir gently from the edges toward the center to lightly mix layers without breaking them up. Taste and add salt and black pepper if desired, then serve hot straight from the slow cooker.

Tips & Variations

• Using lean ground beef reduces excess grease, making the casserole less oily.
• For a creamier texture, stir in a little heavy cream or cream cheese with the sour cream layer.
• Feel free to add chopped onions or garlic to the ground beef for extra flavor.
• Substitute wide egg noodles with rigatoni or small pasta shapes if preferred.
• Top with fresh herbs like parsley or chives just before serving for a bright finish.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a covered dish in the oven to keep it moist. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I brown the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker?

While browning beef adds flavor, this recipe is designed to cook the raw ground beef directly in the slow cooker for simplicity. Browning first is optional but will not harm the final dish.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomato soup?

Canned condensed tomato soup provides thickness and flavor that fresh tomatoes alone won’t. You could make a tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes, but you may need to adjust the liquid and add thickening agents to replicate the texture.

Slow Cooker Amish Country Tomato Beef Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 129 reviews

A hearty and comforting Slow Cooker Amish Country Tomato Beef Casserole featuring layers of lean ground beef, wide egg noodles, tangy tomato soup, creamy sour cream, and melted mild cheddar cheese. This easy, set-it-and-forget-it one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights and delivers rich flavor with minimal effort.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours on LOW or 2 to 3 hours on HIGH
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (LOW) / 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (HIGH)
• Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat

• 2 pounds lean ground beef

Condiments and Dairy

• 2 (10.5-ounce) cans condensed tomato soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese, divided

Pasta

• 2 cups uncooked wide egg noodles

Instructions

1. Prepare the slow cooker: Lightly grease a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker crock with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Layer the beef: Spread raw ground beef evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker, breaking it gently with fingers or a spoon into an even layer without browning it first.
3. Mix tomato soup sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk condensed tomato soup with 1 cup water until smooth to thin the sauce for even cooking.
4. Pour the sauce: Evenly pour the tomato soup mixture over the raw ground beef, fully covering the meat to form the casserole’s sauce base.
5. Add noodles: Sprinkle the uncooked wide egg noodles evenly over the tomato-covered beef layer, pressing gently with the back of a spoon to settle them into the sauce.
6. Mix and add sour cream-cheese layer: In a small bowl, combine sour cream with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Dollop this mixture in spoonfuls over the noodles and spread loosely into an uneven layer.
7. Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours until beef is cooked through, noodles are tender, and casserole is bubbly around the edges. Avoid lifting the lid frequently.
8. Add remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly on top of the hot casserole. Cover again and let sit on LOW or WARM for about 10 minutes until the cheese melts.
9. Serve: Stir gently from edges toward the center to lightly combine the layers without breaking them up. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot directly from the slow cooker.

Notes

• Do not brown the ground beef before adding to the slow cooker; it cooks thoroughly during the slow cooking process.
• Resist lifting the lid during cooking to ensure even cooking of noodles and beef.
• This casserole can be customized by substituting mild cheddar with your preferred cheese.
• For a thicker sauce, reduce the added water slightly or cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes.
• Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat easily.

Keywords: slow cooker casserole, tomato beef casserole, Amish country casserole, easy comfort food, ground beef casserole, one pot meal, slow cooker recipes