Description
Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, featuring layers of savory ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, corn, and crispy tater tots, all topped with melted cheese. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings and is sure to become a household favorite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup frozen corn or canned corn (drained)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package (32 ounces) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk. Stir in smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the beef mixture, corn, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to the bowl and mix until well combined.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, then sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese on top. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions, if desired.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- For a spicier casserole, add a pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeños.
- To make it vegetarian, replace the ground beef with black beans or plant-based crumbles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg