Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, comforting American main dish featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, corn, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection with melted cheddar cheese on top. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that’s kid-friendly and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (30-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with the diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Drain off any excess grease for a leaner dish.
- Add Garlic and Combine Base Ingredients: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, drained corn, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the beef and soup mixture evenly into the greased baking dish. Then, arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the mixture, covering it completely.
- Bake Until Crisp: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Final Bake: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Serve and Garnish: Once baked, garnish the casserole with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh touch. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty, flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or sausage for the beef to vary the flavor and fat content.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili powder to the beef mixture for extra kick and depth of flavor.
- This casserole freezes well—assemble it ahead of time and bake it directly from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.
