Description

Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish brimming with layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy soup, sweet corn, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots—perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. This classic, down-home one-pan meal has all the savory flavors of a cowboy campfire meal, made quick and easy in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Meat Mixture

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

For the Creamy Sauce

1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream

For the Assembly

1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

Prep the Oven and Pan Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick spray or a bit of oil.
Cook the Meat & Onion In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Season the Meat Stir in the salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika (if using), blending well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Mix the Creamy Sauce In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth and creamy.
Combine Layers Spread the cooked meat mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top with the drained corn, then pour the creamy sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the sauce.
Add Tater Tots Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the cheese, covering the entire casserole.
Bake the Casserole Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown.
Add More Cheese Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired, and serve warm.

Notes

Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Add a drained can of diced green chilies or jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Substitute cream of chicken soup if you prefer a different flavor base.
Try pepper jack cheese for extra spice, or use a cheese blend.
You can add a layer of cooked, chopped bacon for smoky flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
Calories: 520
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 1120mg
Fat: 29g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 23g
Cholesterol: 85mg