Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish featuring layers of crispy tater tots, savory ground beef with onions and garlic, creamy soup, sweet corn, and melted cheddar cheese baked to perfection. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, this casserole combines classic ingredients for a satisfying and easy-to-make meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Ground beef
- 1 Large bag frozen tater tots (about 32 oz)
- 1 Cup Onion, chopped
- 2 tsp. Minced garlic
- ½ Cup Milk
- 1 Can (10.5 oz) Cream of onion soup
- 1 Can (15 oz) Corn, drained
- ¼ Cup Sour cream
- 2 Cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Bottom Layer: In a well-greased 9×13 baking dish, spread half of the frozen tater tots in a single layer on the bottom.
- Cook Meat and Onions: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat on the stove. Add ground beef and chopped onions, cooking until the beef is fully browned and onions have softened.
- Drain Grease: Remove excess grease from the skillet to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds to release its flavor.
- Mix Creamy Ingredients: Incorporate the cream of onion soup, milk, drained corn, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Stir everything together carefully to combine with the meat mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the meat and creamy mixture evenly over the layer of tater tots in the baking dish.
- Add Top Layer: Place the remaining tater tots on top of the meat mixture, then sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tots.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, use a convection oven setting if available.
- You can substitute the cream of onion soup with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup if preferred.
- Add diced bell peppers or jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking for easier serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cowboy Casserole, tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, easy casserole, baked casserole
