One of my grandma's favorite recipes happens to be cowboy casserole. In fact when Grandma asked me to do some batch cooking last week I decided to convert our family recipe into Instant Pot Cowboy Casserole and the recipe worked a real treat!
If you love beans, sausages, mushrooms, onion and bacon, then this is a great easy cowboy casserole recipe for you to try!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Hearty and Satisfying: This casserole is packed with protein, veggies, and flavor.
- One-Pot Meal: The Instant Pot makes it easy to cook and clean up.
- Family Favorite: It's a crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will love.
📋 Ingredients
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing, olive oil imparts a subtle flavor and ensures that the ingredients don't stick to the pot.
- Cocktail Sausages: Add a rich, hearty, and slightly smoky flavor that is central to the dish.
- Baked Beans: Contribute a sweet and tangy taste, while also providing a hearty texture that makes this casserole so satisfying.
- Bacon: Adds a smoky, savory flavor, and its rendered fat enriches the dish and helps in sautéing the mushrooms.
- Mushrooms: Bring an earthy flavor and a meaty texture that complements the richness of the sausages and bacon.
- Water: Create the right consistency and ensure that the casserole doesn't dry out during cooking.
- Salt & Pepper: Enhance all the other flavors in the dish, making the flavors of the sausages, beans, and bacon really shine.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Meat Swap: Try chicken or ground beef in Instant Pot cowboy casserole instead of bacon for a unique twist on the classic dish with little prep needed.
- Creamy Ranchero Fusion Casserole- Elevate your Instant Pot cowboy casserole by adding sour cream and cream of mushroom soup for a creamy twist, topped with melted cheese for extra indulgence.
- Hearty Homestead Bake- Create a hearty Instant Pot cowboy casserole with minimal prep by incorporating potatoes, broccoli, and a mix of meats, baked to perfection with tomatoes for a wholesome meal.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Cowboy Casserole?
Step One: Chop the onions and mushrooms. Saute the bacon in the Instant Pot until cooked. You can cut the bacon into small pieces before or after you cook it. Remove from the pot once cooked.
Step Two: Add olive oil, onions, and mushrooms to the Instant Pot. Saute until brown.
Step Three: Add the baked beans to your pot, followed by the cocktail sausages and bacon pieces.
Step Four: Add water to the pot and stir the mixture around before sealing the lid.
Step Five: Pressure cook on manual for 4 minutes. Quick release once finished.
Step Six: Your cowboy casserole is now ready to serve. Enjoy.
Don't Make It Mushy
- Don't Stir Too Much: Avoid stirring excessively once all ingredients are in the pot to prevent them from sticking or becoming mushy.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Brown the Meat First: Utilize the sauté function to brown your ground beef or turkey before adding other ingredients. This step adds depth to the flavor by caramelizing the meat and also helps render out excess fat which can be drained off, resulting in a less greasy casserole.
- Layer Ingredients Properly: To prevent burning and ensure even cooking, layer the ingredients carefully. Start with a liquid base like broth or a sauce at the bottom, then add your starch component like potatoes or noodles, and finally top with meat and vegetables. Avoid stirring once all layers are added until after cooking.
- Use Quick Release to Prevent Sogginess: After the cooking process is complete, use the quick release function for the steam. This prevents ingredients like vegetables and starches from overcooking and becoming too soft, which is crucial for maintaining the ideal texture in your casserole.
💭 FAQs
Store any leftover Cowboy Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator, ensuring it's cooled to room temperature before storing. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
For longer storage, freeze portions of the casserole in a labeled, airtight freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Yes, you can use frozen meat. However, it might take longer to brown and break apart, so ensure it’s fully cooked before proceeding.
Cowboy Casserole typically includes ground beef, tater tots, cheese, corn, and a creamy sauce (often made with sour cream or canned soup). Some versions also add beans, bacon, or jalapeños for extra flavor.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35-45 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and the cheese is melted. If baking from frozen, it may take an extra 15-20 minutes.
You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or sausage, add black beans or bell peppers, or top it with barbecue sauce or green chilies for a twist on the classic recipe.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite sides to serve with Cowboy Casserole:
- Cornbread: Whip up a batch of golden cornbread for a delicious contrast to the hearty flavors of Cowboy Casserole.
- Coleslaw: A zesty coleslaw adds a refreshing crunch, balancing the richness of the casserole with its crisp textures.
- Garlic Knots: Soft and garlicky knots make a perfect side, soaking up the savory juices of the Cowboy Casserole.
- Sweet Potato Fries: Crispy sweet potato fries bring a touch of sweetness, enhancing the savory profile of your Instant Pot creation.
- Cheddar Biscuits: Serve flaky cheddar biscuits on the side for a cheesy twist, perfect for sopping up the savory goodness of the casserole.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Cowboy Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 cups Cocktail Sausages
- 2 Cans Baked Beans
- 1 Pack Bacon
- 2 cups Mushrooms
- 1 ½ cups Water
- pinch Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- Chop the onions and mushrooms.
- Sauté your bacon in the Instant Pot until cooked. You can cut the bacon into small pieces before or after you cook it. Remove from the pot once cooked.
- Add your olive oil, onions and mushrooms to the Instant Pot. Sauté until brown.
- Add the baked beans to your pot, followed by the cocktail sausages and bacon pieces.
- Add your water to the pot and stir the mixture around before sealing the lid.
- Pressure cook on manual for 4 minutes. Quick release once finished.
- Your cowboy casserole is now ready to serve. Enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
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