Description
This Easy Cowboy Casserole Recipe is a hearty, cheesy, and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights. Made with ground beef, crispy tater tots, and a creamy, cheesy sauce, this dish is comforting, satisfying, and family-friendly. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit.
Ingredients
Ground beef (lean) – 1 pound (450g)
Onion (chopped) – 1 medium-sized
Garlic (minced) – 2 cloves
Canned corn (drained) – 1 cup (150g)
Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies – 1 can (10 oz / 283g)
Condensed cream of mushroom soup – 1 can (10.5 oz / 300g)
Sour cream – ½ cup (120g)
Shredded cheddar cheese – 2 cups (200g)
Tater tots – 1 bag (32 oz / 900g)
Olive oil or butter – 1 tablespoon
Salt and black pepper – To taste
Smoked paprika – 1 teaspoon
Dried oregano – ½ teaspoon
Optional Additions
Bacon crumbles – for extra flavor
Bell peppers – for added crunch
Jalapeños – for a spicy kick
Black beans – for more protein
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil or butter
Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic for 2 minutes until softened
Add ground beef and season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and oregano
Cook until browned for about 5 to 7 minutes, then drain excess grease
Stir in Rotel tomatoes, corn, and condensed cream of mushroom soup
Let simmer for 3 minutes, remove from heat, and mix in sour cream
Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish
Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef layer
Arrange tater tots in a single layer on top
Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy
Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top and bake for another 5 minutes until melted
Let sit for 5 minutes before serving, garnish with parsley or chives if desired.
Notes
For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper or use pepper jack cheese
Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or sausage for a different twist
Make it vegetarian by replacing meat with black beans and mushrooms
For a low-carb version, use mashed cauliflower instead of tater tots
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Freeze before baking by wrapping tightly for up to 2 months, thaw overnight before baking
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or in the microwave in 1-minute intervals
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Easy Cowboy Casserole Recipe, Cowboy Casserole Dish, Best Cowboy Casserole, Quick Cowboy Casserole