Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting American dish featuring ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, cheesy layers, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. It’s perfect for an easy dinner that combines familiar flavors in a satisfying casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking the beef)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the diced onion until it softens and becomes translucent, enhancing flavor and texture.
- Cook Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks to ensure even cooking. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Mix Ingredients: Drain any excess fat from the skillet if necessary. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, frozen corn, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix everything thoroughly and heat through.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the beef mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture evenly.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in an even layer on top of the cheese-covered beef mixture, which will crisp up during baking.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top.
- Final Cheese Layer: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the tater tots, and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes so the cheese melts beautifully.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes after baking to set before serving warm and delicious.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute ground turkey for ground beef.
- You can use cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom for a different flavor.
- Add green beans or peas for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- For extra crispiness on top, broil the casserole for 2 to 3 minutes at the end of baking.
