Slow Cooker John Wayne casserole

Let me take you back to a touching moment from 1978. John Wayne, an iconic figure affectionately known as “the Duke,” was battling cancer when he received a heartfelt request from a 10-year-old girl in California. She was gathering recipes from celebrities for a cookbook to benefit the American Cancer Society. Moved by her initiative, John Wayne contributed a breakfast casserole recipe featuring cheese, eggs, and green chiles. Over the years, this recipe has evolved, capturing the hearts and kitchens of many.

Today, I’m excited to share with you a slow cooker adaptation of this beloved John Wayne Casserole. This version has a hearty twist, incorporating ground beef, taco seasoning, and tater tots—making it a perfect, fuss-free meal that’s a hit with everyone.

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours, 10 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours, 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, diced

1 pound ground beef

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 packet taco seasoning

¾ cup water

1 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 (32-ounce) package frozen tater tots

1 (14-ounce) can diced green chiles

DIRECTIONS:

Start the Base:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until it softens, about 5 minutes.

Add the ground beef, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring and breaking up the meat, until the beef is nicely browned, about 5 more minutes.

Season the Beef:

Stir in the taco seasoning and water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the liquid has reduced slightly.

Layer in Slow Cooker:

Place the frozen tater tots in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.

Spoon the beef mixture over the tater tots.

In a medium bowl, mix together the sour cream with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and spread this over the beef.

Finally, layer the diced green chiles on top …