Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting American classic featuring seasoned ground beef, corn, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy tater tots topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this one-dish meal combines rich flavors with a satisfying crunchy topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
Dairy & Canned Goods
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 1 (30 oz) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute. Remove from heat.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture with drained corn, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Stir well to integrate all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the frozen tater tots on top in a single layer for a crispy topping.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 35 minutes.
- Add Cheese Topping: Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese on top of the tater tots. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set for easier slicing and enhanced flavors.
Notes
- Try adding black beans, diced bell peppers, or jalapeños for extra flavor and texture.
- For a spicier twist, substitute pepper jack cheese for the cheddar cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
