Description
Hearty cowboy casserole combines ground beef, potatoes, and cheese in a comforting Midwestern-style dish. Simple ingredients create a satisfying meal that brings families together around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 bag (30 oz) frozen tater tots
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature and brown the ground beef with onions, breaking meat into small crumbles.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture to ensure a lighter, less greasy casserole.
- Incorporate cream of mushroom soup, corn, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper into the beef, stirring until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer the seasoned meat mixture to the greased baking dish, creating an even layer across the bottom.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the meat mixture, covering the entire surface.
- Carefully arrange frozen tater tots in a uniform single layer directly on top of the cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots turn golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and casserole to set.
- Serve hot, directly from the baking dish for a hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- Customize meat options by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
- Lower sodium by using low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and reducing added salt, making it heart-friendly.
- Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or spinach to boost nutritional value and create more complex flavor layers.
- Prep ahead by assembling the casserole in advance and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 810 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg