Description
Cowboy Casserole: a cozy, easy weeknight dish featuring savory ground beef, corn, a creamy mushroom sauce, cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup frozen corn
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add onion and garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in cream of mushroom soup, milk, corn, salt, black pepper, and paprika until well combined.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until tater tots are crispy and golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole up to the cheese and tater tot layers, refrigerate, then bake later (add about 15 minutes to bake time).
- Leftovers refrigerate for 3–4 days; reheat well. Freeze for longer storage.
- To ensure gluten free, use a gluten free cream of mushroom soup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Cowboy Casserole, easy casserole, beef casserole, cheesy casserole, tater tot casserole, weeknight dinner