Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef blended with a creamy mushroom sauce, combined with corn and spicy diced tomatoes, then topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy tater tots. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole offers a delicious combination of textures and flavors baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (1 1/2 cups + 1/2 cup)
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped green onions
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Ground Beef and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it browns, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Add diced onion and minced garlic; cook together until the onion becomes soft, about 3-4 minutes. Drain excess fat from the pan to avoid greasiness.
- Combine the Creamy Mixture: To the beef mixture, stir in cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, drained corn, and drained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Mix everything well and heat through. Season the mixture with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Then, evenly arrange the frozen tater tots over the cheese layer in a single layer for even cooking.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the tater tots turn golden brown and become crispy on top, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese on top of the browned tater tots. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted nicely.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, optionally garnish with chopped green onions and fresh parsley for added freshness and color. Serve the casserole hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can add diced green chilies or jalapeños for extra heat if desired.
- If you prefer, substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken for a slightly different flavor.
- For a lower-fat option, use lean ground beef and reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
- The recipe can be prepared a day ahead and baked just before serving to save time.
- Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave, maintaining the crispy textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
