Description
Cowboy Casserole is a comforting American main course featuring a savory blend of ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and corn, all topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. This hearty, easy-to-make bake is perfect for a family dinner, delivering rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn kernels, drained
Topping
- 1 (30-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Aromatics and Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until it softens. Then add the minced garlic and ground beef, cooking until the beef is browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Mix Ingredients: Stir in the salt, black pepper, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and drained corn. Mix everything thoroughly until fully combined to create the beef mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Arrange a single layer of frozen tater tots over the top, covering the beef mixture completely.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top.
- Add Cheese Topping: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving to let it set and enhance the flavors.
Notes
- For extra flavor, mix in a can of diced green chiles or add a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- For a leaner option, substitute ground turkey instead of ground beef.
- You can use cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom soup if preferred.
