Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting baked dish featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, corn, crispy tater tots, melted cheddar cheese, and savory bacon. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole combines rich flavors and textures into one easy-to-make recipe baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- ½ pound ground beef (85/15)
- 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned, drained)
- â…” cup condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- â…“ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 32 ounces tater tots (about 4 cups)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature while you prepare the casserole components.
- Cook the ground beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the ground beef until fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Prepare the beef mixture: Add corn, condensed cream of mushroom soup, ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, whole milk, sour cream, onion powder, and black pepper to the cooked beef in the skillet. Stir everything together and heat the mixture thoroughly to blend flavors well.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer the beef mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a flat layer for even cooking.
- Add toppings: Arrange the tater tots in a single uniform layer over the beef mixture. Then sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese and the crumbled bacon evenly on top of the tater tots.
- Bake the casserole: Place the assembled dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown, crispy, and the casserole is bubbly.
- Rest before serving: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5 minutes to set slightly and make serving easier and safer.
Notes
- Use any variety of corn: fresh, frozen, or canned works well—just be sure to drain canned corn.
- For a lower fat version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheddar cheese.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- Feel free to add a diced onion or bell pepper during beef cooking for extra flavor.
- To make this gluten-free, ensure the cream of mushroom soup and tater tots are gluten-free certified.
