Description
Hearty cowboy casserole delivers a comforting western-style feast packed with ground beef, potatoes, and cheesy goodness. Rustic layers of flavor merge classic ingredients into a satisfying meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) corn, drained
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
- 1.5 cups (170 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Soup and Sauce:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
Starch:
- 1 bag (16 ounces / 454 grams) frozen tater tots
Seasonings:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Green onions
- Parsley
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, carefully draining away excess fat.
- Introduce diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Blend cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and corn into the meat mixture, seasoning with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Evenly distribute the savory beef mixture across the prepared casserole dish, creating a uniform base.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single, overlapping layer to completely cover the beef mixture.
- Generously scatter shredded cheddar cheese across the entire surface of the tater tots.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly crust.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
- Optional: Garnish with finely chopped green onions or fresh parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier, leaner protein option that reduces saturated fat intake.
- Customize the casserole by adding diced bell peppers or jalapeños for extra flavor and nutrition without changing the core recipe structure.
- Use low-fat cheese and reduced-sodium cream of mushroom soup to create a lighter version that’s more diet-friendly while maintaining delicious taste.
- Prep tater tots strategically by letting them slightly thaw before arranging to ensure even crispiness and optimal golden-brown texture during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg