Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, comforting one-dish meal combining seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, sweet corn, cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and packed with flavors and textures everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
Topping
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking your casserole.
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once done, drain off any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Mix the Sauce: To the browned beef, add the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined, creating a creamy and flavorful beef mixture.
- Layer the Casserole: Grease a baking dish to prevent sticking. Spread the beef mixture evenly at the bottom, then layer the drained corn over the beef. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on top of the corn layer to add richness and a melty texture.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese. This will create a crispy, golden crust once baked.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots turn golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is heated through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes so it can set slightly before serving, ensuring easier slicing and serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding diced onions or bell peppers to the beef while browning.
- You can swap cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or cream of celery soup for variation.
- Use a mixture of cheese like cheddar and Monterey Jack for enhanced taste.
- If you want a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- To keep the tater tots crispier, place them on top of the cheese instead of mixing them into the casserole.
- 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, baked casserole
