Description
Cowboy Potato Casserole is a hearty and comforting American main course featuring ground beef, diced hash brown potatoes, and a creamy blend of mushroom soup, sour cream, and cheeses. This baked casserole is enhanced with smoky spices, bacon crumbles, and garnished with fresh green onions, making it a perfect family dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups frozen diced hash brown potatoes
- 1 cup canned corn, drained
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Dairy and Others
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cook beef mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced yellow onion until the beef is browned and the onion becomes soft. Drain any excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Add seasonings and blend: Stir in minced garlic, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and chili powder into the meat mixture, cooking for one more minute to release the aromas and flavors.
- Combine creamy ingredients and vegetables: Mix cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk into the skillet until fully combined. Add frozen diced hash brown potatoes and drained corn, stirring until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Transfer mixture to baking dish: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Add cheese and bacon topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top, followed by the cooked bacon crumbles for added flavor and texture.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted with a lightly golden crust.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving to add a fresh, mild onion bite.
Notes
- For a lighter variation, substitute ground turkey for ground beef.
- Pepper jack cheese can be used in place of cheddar for a spicier kick.
- If using fresh potatoes, dice them small and parboil for approximately 5 minutes before adding to the casserole to ensure proper cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
