Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting baked dish featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, corn, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and golden tater tots. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole combines rich flavors and textures in a simple one-pan meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup bacon cooked and chopped
Canned and Frozen
- 1 10.75 ounce cream of mushroom soup
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn
- 28 ounces tater tots frozen
Other Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth. Add onion powder, salt, and black pepper, then mix until well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the cooked ground beef, frozen corn, ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped cooked bacon into the soup mixture until thoroughly mixed.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the beef and soup mixture into the prepared baking pan. Evenly layer ½ cup of cheddar cheese on top, then spread the frozen tater tots over the cheese layer.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are browned and crispy.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese on top, then return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Serve: Optionally, sprinkle additional chopped bacon over the top before serving. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty cowboy casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup for a different flavor.
- For extra crispiness, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after the final cheese layer melts.
- Feel free to add diced onions or bell peppers to the beef while cooking for added texture and flavor.
- Use turkey bacon for a leaner option or omit bacon to make it vegetarian-friendly by substituting with a plant-based bacon alternative.
