Place all the ingredients, except the potatoes and cheese in the slow cooker or heat them together on the stove.
Top baked potatoes and sprinkle with shredded cheese, if desired.
Notes
You can substitute ingredients for what you have. Try regular diced tomatoes with a can of green chilis. Use any kind of canned beans. Skip the bacon. Cook the onion with the ground beef. Add chili powder or taco seasoning or salsa. Anything goes!