When comfort food meets convenience, Slow Cooker Tomato Soup Ground Beef Casserole becomes the perfect family dinner. This simple recipe combines ground beef, tomato soup, pasta, and cheese in a slow cooker to create a hearty meal with minimal effort. The rich tomato flavor, tender beef, and melted cheese make every bite satisfying, while the slow cooker handles most of the work.
One hectic weekday, dinner plans seemed impossible. The refrigerator held a package of ground beef, while the pantry offered a few cans of tomato soup and some pasta. Instead of making a complicated meal, everything went into the slow cooker. Hours later, the kitchen smelled incredible. The sauce had thickened, the beef became tender, and the cheese melted into a golden topping. Everyone returned for seconds, and the recipe quickly became a regular request. Since then, it has remained a dependable solution whenever a comforting meal is needed without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain excess grease.
- Transfer beef to the slow cooker.
- Add onion, tomato soup, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, broth, salt, and pepper.
- Stir thoroughly and cover.
- Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.
- Add uncooked pasta during the final hour of cooking.
- Stir and cook until pasta becomes tender.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Cover until cheese melts and serve hot.
Notes
Why This Slow Cooker Casserole Is So Popular
Simple Ingredients Create Big Flavor
One reason Slow Cooker Tomato Soup Ground Beef Casserole remains popular is its simplicity. Most families already have many of the ingredients on hand.
The combination of ground beef and tomato soup creates a savory foundation. Meanwhile, pasta adds heartiness and transforms the dish into a complete meal. Cheese finishes everything with creamy richness.
Because the ingredient list is short, preparation stays easy. At the same time, the finished casserole tastes like something that required much more effort.
Additionally, slow cooking allows the flavors to blend together naturally. As a result, every bite delivers comforting, homemade flavor.
Perfect for Busy Weeknights
Many recipes require constant attention. However, this casserole allows the slow cooker to do most of the work.
After assembling the ingredients, you can focus on work, errands, or family activities. Meanwhile, the slow cooker gently develops flavor throughout the day.
This convenience makes the recipe especially useful for:
- Busy parents
- Meal preppers
- Beginning cooks
- Potluck gatherings
- Family dinners
Because the preparation is straightforward, anyone can successfully make this recipe.
Ingredients and Helpful Tips
What You’ll Need
This recipe uses common ingredients that work beautifully together.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cans condensed tomato soup
- 2 cups uncooked pasta
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup water or beef broth
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
These ingredients create a casserole that is rich, filling, and family-friendly.
Tips for the Best Results
Although this recipe is simple, a few tips can improve the final dish.
First, browning the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker creates deeper flavor. It also removes excess grease.
Second, avoid overcooking the pasta. If possible, add it during the final hour of cooking. This helps maintain a pleasant texture.
Additionally, freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-packaged varieties.
For extra flavor, consider adding:
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Diced tomatoes
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
These additions allow you to customize the casserole while preserving its comforting character.
How to Make Slow Cooker Tomato Soup Ground Beef Casserole
Preparing the Base
Begin by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
Once fully cooked:
- Drain excess grease.
- Transfer beef to the slow cooker.
- Add diced onion.
- Stir in tomato soup.
- Add garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Pour in water or broth.
Mix everything thoroughly so the seasonings distribute evenly.
At this stage, the mixture should appear thick but stir easily.
Slow Cooking and Finishing
Cover the slow cooker and cook:
- Low setting: 5–6 hours
- High setting: 3–4 hours
About one hour before serving, stir in the uncooked pasta.
Continue cooking until the pasta becomes tender.
Finally, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top. Cover again and allow the cheese to melt completely.
The finished casserole should be creamy, thick, and bubbling around the edges.
Serve immediately while hot.
Serving Suggestions and Storage
What to Serve Alongside
Although this casserole is satisfying on its own, side dishes can create a complete meal.
Excellent options include:
- Garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Green beans
- Steamed broccoli
- Garden salad
Fresh vegetables balance the richness of the casserole and add color to the plate.
For gatherings, consider setting out toppings such as:
- Sour cream
- Chopped parsley
- Green onions
- Extra cheese
These additions allow guests to customize their portions.
Storing Leftovers
This casserole stores very well.
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to airtight containers.
Storage guidelines:
- Refrigerator: Up to 4 days
- Freezer: Up to 3 months
To reheat:
- Place in a microwave-safe dish or saucepan.
- Add a splash of water if necessary.
- Heat until thoroughly warmed.
The flavors often become even better the next day, making leftovers highly desirable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey works well and creates a lighter version of the recipe.
Should I brown the beef first?
Yes. Browning adds flavor and removes excess grease before slow cooking.
What pasta works best?
Elbow macaroni, rotini, shells, and penne all perform well in this casserole.
Can I make it spicy?
Absolutely. Add crushed red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or hot sauce.
Can I prepare it ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the ingredients the night before and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Tomato Soup Ground Beef Casserole delivers everything a comfort-food dinner should offer: rich flavor, hearty ingredients, and easy preparation. The combination of seasoned ground beef, tomato soup, pasta, and melted cheese creates a family-friendly meal that works for busy weeknights and relaxed weekends alike. With minimal hands-on effort and dependable results, this recipe deserves a permanent place in any home cook’s collection.
