Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef, sweet corn, creamy mushroom soup, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for family dinners and combines savory flavors with delightful textures in one satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
Dairy
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
Spices
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper into the cooked ground beef until everything is well mixed and flavorful.
- Layer the Casserole: Grease a baking dish then spread the beef mixture evenly on the bottom. Layer the drained corn over the beef, and sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the corn.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots evenly over the cheese layer to create a crispy topping once baked.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes after baking to set, then serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup for a different flavor.
- Use sharp cheddar for a stronger cheese taste or a mild cheese if preferred.
- To make it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the cream of mushroom soup and tater tots are labeled gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cowboy casserole, tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, easy casserole recipe, comfort food, baked casserole
