Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting one-dish meal featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, sweet corn, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners, this casserole offers a delicious blend of savory flavors and textures all in one pan.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
- 1/2 cup milk
Vegetables and Canned Goods
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
Other
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it’s fully cooked; then drain any excess fat to avoid greasiness in the casserole.
- Mix the beef with soup and seasonings: Add the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the browned beef in the skillet. Stir everything thoroughly until combined into a creamy mixture.
- Assemble the casserole – layer one: Grease a baking dish and spread the beef and soup mixture evenly on the bottom.
- Layer two: Sprinkle the drained corn evenly over the beef mixture layer to add sweetness and texture.
- Layer three: Evenly distribute the shredded cheese on top of the corn layer for a melty, cheesy topping.
- Top with tater tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, covering the entire surface of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes once baked to set slightly, then serve warm.
Notes
- For a crispier tater tot topping, you can broil the casserole for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of baking—watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup if preferred.
- Add chopped onions or bell peppers to the beef mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if cooking directly from chilled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cowboy casserole, tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner recipes, comfort food
