Description
Cowboy Casserole brings hearty beef, crispy tater tots, and melted cheese together in one satisfying dish that makes dinner feel like a warm hug. Family members always ask for seconds of this simple yet delicious midwestern comfort meal that comes together quickly.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 bag 32 oz frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 can 15 oz corn, drained
- 1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: chopped green onions or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Warm your 9×13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter, coating every surface. Heat oven to precisely 375°F.
- Grab your large skillet and crumble 1 pound ground beef over medium-high heat. Cook meat for 6-7 minutes, breaking into small chunks.
- Dice 1 small onion and mince 2 garlic cloves. Add them to the beef, stirring for 3 minutes until onions turn translucent.
- Drain accumulated grease from the skillet completely, shaking pan to remove excess fat.
- Pour 1 can of drained corn into the beef mixture. Stir in 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup and ½ cup sour cream.
- Season your mixture with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Blend ingredients thoroughly.
- Transfer beef mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese across the top of your beef layer.
- Arrange 32 ounces frozen tater tots in a single, neat layer covering the entire casserole.
- Slide dish into preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes until tots turn golden brown and crispy.
- Remove casserole and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.
Notes
- Save time by browning ground beef and chopping onions in advance, storing them in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the casserole.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to make the dish lighter and more diet-friendly.
- Ensure tater tots turn extra crispy by placing the casserole on the top oven rack during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg