Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole

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• Author: Lara Smith
• Total Time: 45 MINS

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Description

This Cowboy Casserole is a meaty, cheesy, veggie-packed bake that combines ground beef, beans, corn, and crispy tater tots in a creamy, savory sauce. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 pound ground beef

1 10.75 ounce cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 cups frozen corn

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded, divided

1/2 cup bacon cooked and chopped

28 ounces tater tots frozen

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.

In a skillet, cook ground beef breaking into small pieces; until no longer pink. Drain grease.

In a large bowl, whisk cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth.

Add onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until combined.

With a wooden spoon stir in ground beef, corn, ½ cup of cheese, and bacon until well mixed.

Pour into the prepared pan. Layer ½ cup cheese and tater tots on top.

Bake for 40 minutes; until bubbly and tots are browned. Then top with remaining ½ cup cheese and

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

All-in-One Meal – Protein, veggies, and carbs in every bite
Easy to Make – Just layer and bake
Kid-Friendly – Picky eaters love the tater tot topping
Great for Leftovers – Tastes even better the next day

Ingredients

For the Beef Layer:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
• 1 tbsp taco seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Creamy Sauce:

• 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup milk

For the Topping:

• 4 cups frozen tater tots
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped green onions (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brown the Beef & Veggies

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and bell pepper until meat is browned.
3. Add garlic, corn, beans, tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer 5 mins.

2. Make the Sauce

• In a bowl, mix cheddar soup, sour cream, and milk until smooth.

3. Assemble the Casserole

1. Spread beef mixture in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Pour sauce evenly over the top.
3. Arrange tater tots in a single layer.
4. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.

4. Bake & Serve

1. Bake 30-35 mins until bubbly and golden.
2. Garnish with green onions and serve hot!

Pro Tips

Prep ahead – Assemble the night before, refrigerate, then bake
Extra crispy tots – Broil 2-3 mins at the end
Spice it up – Add jalapeños or hot sauce
Lighter version – Use ground turkey and low-fat sour cream

FAQs

Q: Can I use fresh potatoes instead of tots?
✔ Yes! Slice 2 large potatoes thinly and layer like scalloped potatoes.

Q: How to store leftovers?
✔ Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze for 2 months.

Q: No cheddar soup?
✔ Substitute 1 cup shredded cheese + ½ cup milk + 1 tbsp flour.

Q: Vegetarian option?
✔ Use plant-based ground “meat” and omit the beef.

Serving Suggestions

• Game day feast with ranch dressing for dipping
• Weeknight dinner with a simple green salad
• Potluck favorite – Doubles easily for crowds

Final Thoughts

This Cowboy Casserole is stick-to-your-ribs comfort food at its best—easy, cheesy, and always a hit!