Description
Hearty cowboy casserole delivers classic comfort with ground beef, potatoes, and cheese in one satisfying dish. Regional flavors combine seamlessly, inviting home cooks to savor a nostalgic meal that connects families around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (corn, peas, carrots)
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Dairy and Sauce:
- 1 (10.5 ounces) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Topping:
- 1 (16 ounces) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook thoroughly until meat browns and crumbles evenly.
- Drain any accumulated fat from the meat mixture.
- Incorporate mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and sour cream into the skillet. Simmer and blend ingredients for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the hearty beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese across the surface.
- Distribute frozen tater tots uniformly over the cheese layer, creating a crispy topping.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until tater tots turn golden brown and edges bubble.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Customize vegetable mix by using fresh or frozen seasonal veggies for added nutrition and flavor variety.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that suits different dietary preferences.
- Use low-fat cheese and reduced-sodium cream of mushroom soup to create a more diet-friendly version without compromising taste.
- Enhance protein content by sprinkling crispy bacon bits or chopped green onions on top for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg