Dump & Go Slow Cooker Hamburger Casserole – Hearty & Easy

This slow cooker layered hamburger casserole is a one-pot meal that my husband and I love. If you enjoy easy and delicious, comforting southern casseroles, you’ll enjoy it too! It’s hearty enough to satisfy even the hungriest family member at my house. I also enjoy the fact that it’s budget-friendly!

I used my 6 quart Crock Pot for this easy slow cooker dinner. However, if you’re making a smaller amount, you may use a 3 quart slow cooker.

Why One Bite Will Win You Over

There are so many reasons you’ll love this dish. First of all, this is a simple but delicious meal loaded with lots of your favorite flavors that all come together with each and every single bite.

It’s easy to substitute other ingredients to accommodate your taste and what you have in your pantry. And as the cook, you’ll appreciate the simplicity and the fact that it’s budget-friendly!

Ingredients with Tips and Variations

This list of ingredients is flexible, so you can swap out anything you don’t care for. Then, substitute what you do like.

What you’ll need:

• Ground beef
• Onion cut into strips
• Uncooked white rice
• Diced potatoes
• Can of red kidney beans, drained
• Can of tomato sauce
• Water
• Can of green beans, drained
• Chili powder
• Splash of Worcestershire sauce (approximately 1 tablespoon or more if you like)
• Salt and pepper to taste (I use about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper)

I’ve noticed that some cans of beans and tomato sauce are 14.5 ounces or 16 ounces. That’s fine because in this case, it doesn’t have to be exact.

If you prefer more onions, rice, or potatoes, go ahead and add them. Also remember to add more liquid if you do so they’ll cook properly.

Any kind of canned beans will work in this recipe. For example, if you have great northern beans, feel free to use those instead of kidney beans. You can also adjust the seasonings to taste.

Sometimes I substitute or add sliced carrots, broccoli, or other vegetables that I have on hand.

Another thing that I sometimes do is add a dash of cinnamon to punch up the flavor a bit. You don’t need much … just about 1/4 teaspoon will give it that extra oomph your family will love.

Step-by-Step Directions to Layer and Cook Hamburger Casserole

First, brown the ground beef and onions in a skillet. Drain the grease.

I use 85% lean grass-fed beef, so there’s always a little bit of fat. However, if you use leaner ground beef, you might need to add some fat to the skillet to keep it from burning and sticking.

Spray the bottom of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. This makes cleanup so much easier.

Next, pour the browned ground beef and onions into the bottom of the skillet. This makes the bottom layer of the casserole.

Add the uncooked rice on top of the ground beef mixture. I use my hands and sprinkle it evenly over the top.

Next, pour the diced potatoes over the rice. I prefer a single layer of potatoes, but you can add more if you like.

If you only want potatoes and no rice, double the amount of potatoes. Or if you want just rice, double the rice and eliminate the potatoes. Remember that this is your recipe, so make it however you want.

Now back to the recipe. Add the kidney beans in the next layer. Pour the green beans over the kidney beans.

Now pour the tomato sauce over everything. Splash the Worcestershire sauce over all of the layers.

Pour the water and sprinkle the chili powder over everything. Finally, salt and pepper the casserole to suit your family’s taste.

Pop the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. It’s ready when the potatoes and rice are done.

I like to serve this delicious casserole with a side salad and bread. Or you can serve it all by itself because it’s a complete meal and very filling.

It also makes wonderful leftovers. Store whatever you have left in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator or freezer. This casserole should last for up to a week in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer. It will probably be good longer than that, but I tend to be extra cautious with what I recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions you may have with my answers.

Can I Skip the Rice?

Yes, you absolutely can. Whether you don’t have rice or simply don’t want it, please feel free to leave it out.

How Full Should the Slow Cooker Be?

My general rule of thumb is to stop filling the slow cooker before it gets to 2/3 full.

What Should I Serve with Layered Hamburger Casserole?

Since this is a one-pot meal, you don’t need to add anything else. However, if you want something else, this light and fluffy cloud bread is a great side! Or if you prefer a denser option, try this southern-style cornbread.

More Crock Pot Favorites

I make a variety of slow cooker meals. One of our other favorites is this chicken stroganoff. It has the same basic flavor as its beef counterpart. So if you like one, chances are, you’ll like the other.

We also like these slow cooker ranch pork chops. Granted, this isn’t a one-pot meal, but it’s so delicious that you can keep the side dishes very simple.

Another slow cooker meal we like is this chili con carne. This one is perfect for dinner at the end of a long, cold day. However, I actually like it any time of year.

Not only do I enjoy main dishes cooked in my Crock Pot, but I also like to use the slow cooker for sides and soups.

One of my husband’s favorite Crock Pot sides is this baked beans dish. It’s super easy and always comes out tasting delicious.

We love all kinds of homemade soup. One of our favorites is this warm and oh-so satisfying potato soup. I add a little bacon for extra flavor.

Another delicious main dish that I make in the slow cooker is this sweet chili chicken. You can use any part of the chicken, but we’re partial to the thighs because of their depth of flavor.

Please feel free to share!