Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish that combines seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, crispy tater tots, melted cheddar cheese, and smoky bacon. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole bakes to bubbly perfection with a golden, crunchy topping that's sure to please all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 10.75 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup cooked and chopped bacon
- 28 ounces frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9x13-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 as it cooks until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Mix Creamy Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth and combined.
- Season and Combine: Add onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl and mix well. Stir in the cooked ground beef, frozen corn, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped bacon until the mixture is well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top, then layer the frozen tater tots evenly over the cheese.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are browned and crisp.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Serve: Optionally, garnish with extra cooked chopped bacon before serving. Serve hot for a fulfilling meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup for a slightly different flavor.
- For a lower fat option, use lean ground beef or ground turkey and reduced-fat cheese.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; bake it when ready to serve, adding extra baking time if baking from cold.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the cream of mushroom soup and tater tots are labeled gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
