Description
This Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate hearty and comforting dish, loaded with seasoned ground beef, creamy sauce, corn, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots. It’s a family-friendly, one-pan meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks. With its savory, cheesy, and crispy textures, this classic cowboy-inspired casserole is sure to be a crowd favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained (or 1 ½ cups frozen corn)
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Instructions
1. Preheat & Prepare
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. Cook the Beef Mixture
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onions until browned (about 5-7 minutes).
- Drain excess grease, then add garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, and chili powder. Stir well.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce
- Stir in cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, ½ cup cheddar cheese, and corn into the beef mixture. Mix until well combined.
4. Assemble the Casserole
- Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
5. Bake & Serve
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve warm with a side of salad or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Make it extra cheesy: Add 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese for even more flavor.
- Spice it up: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños for a kick.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg