Cowboy Casserole Recipe

Cowboy Casserole is an easy weeknight family dinner with ground beef, corn, cheddar cheese and sour cream topped with crispy tater tots.

This recipe is a step of from the classic Tater Tot Casserole we have on the site. We love classic comfort food dishes like Easy Chicken Casserole that please even your pickiest of eaters. Check out all of our Dinner Recipes to find your next family favorite.

cowboy casserole recipe

Cowboy Casserole

cowboy casserole recipe

Cowboy Casserole is an easy weeknight family dinner with ground beef, corn, cheddar cheese and sour cream topped with crispy tater tots.

Prep: 10min

Total: 50min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 148 kcal, Carbohydrate 10 g, Protein 10 g, Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 28 mg, Sodium 355 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound ground beef (, (85/15))
  • 1 cup corn
  • 2/3 cup Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese (, shredded and divided)
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup bacon (, cooked and crumbled)
  • 32 ounces tater tots

Instruction:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until browned.
  3. Add the corn, cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup cheese, milk, sour cream, onion powder, black pepper, and bacon to the skillet and mix well.
  4. In a 9×13 pan layer the beef, then the cheese and finally line up the tater tots before baking for 40-45 minutes uncovered.
  5. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake another 5 minutes.

Cowboy Casserole

cowboy casserole recipe

With a creamy beef filling and a cheesy tater tot topping, this one-skillet dinner is sure to make a regular appearance in your regular weeknight rotation.

Prep: 20min

Total: 55min

Yield: 6 serving(s)

Ingredients:

  • 4 strips of bacon (about 3 oz.)
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 lb. ground sirloin
  • 1 10.75 oz can cream of mushroom soup
  • 3/4 c. milk
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 tsp. ground black pepper, divided
  • 3 c. baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 c. frozen corn
  • 8 oz. shredded cheddar or Colby jack cheese
  • 1 32 oz bag of tater tots
  • 1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
  • Chopped chives or scallions, for garnish

Instruction:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Remove the tater tots from the freezer to let them thaw slightly while you prepare the filling. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until golden brown and extra crispy, 6-8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and leave the grease in the skillet. Set all of the bacon aside for topping later.
  2. Add the onion to the skillet and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute. Add the ground beef and break into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook the meat until no pink pieces remain, 6-8 minutes. Drain off excess fat or liquid, if you like. Remove skillet from the heat. Stir in the soup, milk, salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper and mix until smooth. Fold in the spinach to wilt slightly, then the corn.
  3. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the tater tots on top in a single layer, arranging them in concentric circles (or just toss them on and push them very close together.) Sprinkle the top with parmesan cheese and the additional 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
  4. Bake 30-35 minutes until the tater tots are golden. Remove from the oven and crumble the cooked bacon over top. Let rest 5 minutes. Top with chopped chives or scallions and serve.

Cowboy Casserole

cowboy casserole recipe

This Cowboy Casserole is loaded with ground beef, beans, and flavorful veggies. Bake to perfection under an irresistible layer of crispy tater tots.

Prep: 15min

Total: 85min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 serving, calories 671 kcal, Carbohydrate 63 g, Protein 30 g, Fat 35 g, Saturated Fat 16 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 76 mg, Sodium 1389 mg, Fiber 13 g, Sugar 3 g

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, (chopped)
  • 4 cloves garlic, (minced)
  • 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, (including juice)
  • 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, (shredded)
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce, (optional)
  • 1 cup frozen corn, (thawed and well drained)
  • 1 (32-ounce) bag tater tots
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, (shredded)

Instruction:

  1. Preheat 350°F. Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
  2. Heat vegetable oil (2 tablespoons) in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion (1), stirring frequently, until translucent, about 6 minutes. Add garlic (4 cloves), stirring constantly, and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add beef (1 pound), continue to cook, crumbling with a spoon until there is no longer any pink. Drain excess fat from skillet.
  3. Sprinkle beef with chili powder (2 tablespoons), cumin (1 1/2 teaspoons), oregano (1 teaspoon), salt (1 teaspoon), pepper (1/2 teaspoon), and brown sugar (1/2 teaspoon). Continue to cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until the spices become fragrant.
  4. Stir in black beans (1 (15-ounce) can), pinto beans (1 (15-ounce) can, diced tomatoes (1 (14.5-ounce) can, green chiles (1 (4-ounce) can, sour cream (1/2 cup), 1 cup of cheddar, and hot sauce (1 teaspoon). Cook until the liquid thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Mix in frozen corn (1 cup), then pour it into the prepared baking dish.
  5. Arrange a single layer of tater tots (1 (32-ounce) bag) over the beef mixture. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  6. Remove from oven, remove and discard aluminum foil, and sprinkle cheese (1 cup) evenly over tater tots. Return to oven for 20 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly around the edges. Allow to cool slightly then serve.

Cowboy Casserole

cowboy casserole recipe

This quick and creamy Tater Tot bake is great comfort food, especially on a cold night. —Donna Donhauser, Remsen, New York

Prep: 15min

Total: 35min

Yield: 2 servings.

Nutrition Facts: calories 714 calories, Fat 38g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 120mg cholesterol, Sodium 1675mg sodium, Carbohydrate 56g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 37g protein.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1 can (8-3/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
  • 2/3 cup condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/3 cup 2% milk
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups frozen Tater Tots

Instruction:

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Stir in the corn, soup, 1/4 cup cheese, milk, sour cream, onion powder and pepper., Place 1 cup Tater Tots in a greased 3-cup baking dish. Layer with beef mixture and remaining Tater Tots; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 20-25 minutes.

COWBOY CASSEROLE with Tater Tots, TATER TOT CASSEROLE dinner idea RECIPE, Catherine’s Plates

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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