Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting baked dish featuring a savory mixture of ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, corn, bacon, and cheddar cheese, all topped with crispy tater tots. Perfect for feeding a crowd or a family dinner, this casserole combines rich flavors and textures for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
- 1/2 cup bacon (cooked and chopped)
Condiments and Seasonings
- 1 10.75 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Starches
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn
- 28 ounces tater tots (frozen)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and generously spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces until no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease to keep the casserole from being too oily.
- Mix the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in onion powder, salt, and black pepper into the creamy mixture, mixing thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Combine Main Ingredients: Using a wooden spoon, fold in the cooked ground beef, frozen corn, ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped bacon ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking pan. Evenly sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the top, then layer the frozen tater tots across the cheese layer.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Finish Baking with Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the final ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top, and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.
- Serve and Garnish: Optionally sprinkle additional cooked bacon on top before serving for extra flavor and crunch. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Feel free to swap cream of mushroom soup with cream of celery or chicken soup for a different flavor.
- Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup if you need the dish to be gluten-free.
- This casserole can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated before baking to save time.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
