Description
This hearty Cowboy Casserole combines savory ground beef with creamy soups, sweet corn, and crispy tater tots for a comforting and easy-to-make meal. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, this casserole is perfect for a family dinner that requires minimal prep and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion until the beef is fully browned and the onions have softened. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Mix Soups and Seasonings: Add the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, drained corn, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the beef. Stir everything together until thoroughly combined for a flavorful mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the beef and soup mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating an even layer to support the tater tots on top.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture to ensure they bake evenly and become crispy.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, then return it to the oven. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a diced green bell pepper or jalapeño with the onions when cooking the ground beef.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend for a different taste.
- To make it spicier, add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add extra baking time if baking from cold.
- Ensure to drain the excess fat from the cooked beef to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Frozen tater tots do not need to be thawed before baking; they go straight from the freezer onto the casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
