One of the most delectable ways to enjoy meat and potatoes is in a brilliantly assembled casserole, especially when you can prepare it in your slow cooker using the classic "set it and forget it" technique. Requiring only minimal pantry ingredients and less than 15 minutes of prep time to put together, this stunning recipe below is sure to brighten up even the gloomiest of weekday meal plans.

Hearty ground beef and cream of celery soup are perfectly balanced by tender green beans and tater tots to create a fabulous dinner that is sure to delight the whole family. Feel free to change up the soup (cream of chicken and cream of mushroom both work very well), and don't be afraid to load up this delicious casserole with any extra veggies you have on hand!

Prep time: < 15 mins

1 pound ground beef
1 can cream of celery soup
1 white onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup half-and-half (or cream)
1 pound frozen tater tots
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and halved
1 can fried onions (optional)

1. Spray pan with cooking spray. Get the pan hot over medium heat. Add the beef.

Add in the chopped onions.

Cook the beef with the chopped onions over medium heat until the beef has browned; drain.

Pour the soup and half-and-half over the beef; stir until well-mixed.

Season with salt and pepper.

2. Lightly grease your slow cooker.
​

Layer the tator tots.

Then add in the green beans.

Pour the soup-and-beef mixture over the top, ensuring that the vegetables are completely covered.

If you loved fried onions, you can also add them over the beef mixture now.

3. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. It should look golden brown on top

Serve with a sprinkling of fried onions on top.

Tip: Add another veggie element by mixing chopped carrots with the green beans and tater tots.

Copyright 2016 Cooktop Cove