Description
This Cowboy Casserole is a warm, cheesy, and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, and family dinners. Made with savory ground beef, crispy tater tots, creamy sauce, and gooey melted cheese, this dish is easy to make, budget-friendly, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 can (14.5 oz) corn, drained
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Optional Add-ins:
- Spicy twist: Add diced green chilies or hot sauce.
- Extra veggies: Bell peppers, mushrooms, or peas.
- Bacon lovers: Crumble cooked bacon on top before baking.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook ground beef in a skillet with onions until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika, cooking for 1 more minute.
- Make the creamy sauce by mixing soup, sour cream, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and corn in a bowl. Add the beef mixture and ½ cup cheese.
- Assemble the casserole by spreading the beef mixture into the baking dish and topping it with frozen tater tots.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake for another 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, garnish with green onions or parsley, and serve.
Notes
- Use ground turkey instead of beef for a leaner option.
- Thinly slice potatoes if substituting for tater tots.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American