Description
This Easy Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Made with ground beef, tater tots, cheddar cheese, and a creamy sauce, it’s the perfect family-friendly dinner for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10.5 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (32 oz.) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 cup corn (canned or frozen, optional)
Seasonings:
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Cook the Beef Mixture
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in the chopped onions and garlic; cook until softened.
- Drain excess grease from the skillet.
Step 3: Mix the Sauce
- In the skillet, stir in:
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Sour cream
- Worcestershire sauce
- Smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper
- Mix well until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
- Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the beef.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tater tots.
Step 5: Bake & Serve
- Bake for 40 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- For extra crispiness, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra crunch, pre-bake the tater tots for 10 minutes before adding them.
- To add spice, mix in diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- For a healthier version, use ground turkey and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 450-500
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg