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Cowboy casserole is my ultimate mom hack. Beef, cheese, corn, and tater tots, what’s not to love? Even the picky eaters mysteriously forget how to be picky.
A Reader’s Review
This is a huge favorite of my grandchildren!!! And to be honest Grampa and I love it just as much! The tomatoes and sour cream make for a delicious sauce! Thanks for this great recipe!!
Why This Makes Dinner Time Way Less Stressful
- Crispy Tots Every Time: I bake this casserole at the temperature that’s recommended for cooking tater tots, to get those crisp tots on top!
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it earlier in the day (or even the night before) and pop it in the oven at dinner. Ultimate mom hack = less chaos at 5 p.m.
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy stuff here, just pantry staples that you probably already have, and know your family will love!
Cowboy Casserole Iingredie
- Add Beans or Veggies: You can add 1-2 cups of drained black beans, additional vegetables (such as bell peppers or jalapeños, or sliced cherry tomatoes)
- Cheese Variations: You may use Monterey Jack or Colby Jack cheese instead of cheddar.
- BACON! Add 4-6 slices of chopped, crispy bacon to the meat mixture for a nice smoky flavor.
- Like it Spicy? Spice things up by adding a pinch or two of cayenne pepper, or a teaspoon or two of your favorite hot sauce!
How to Make Cowboy Casserole
This cowboy casserole recipe can be assembled in just 10 minutes. I love making this in the morning or the night before, then throwing it in the oven when dinner time rolls around. It makes my life easier, and I know my kids will actually eat!
- Cook Beef, Onions & Garlic: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Add ground beef to a 14-inch cast iron skillet and cook over medium heat until nearly cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Add diced onion and minced garlic, and cook for 3-4 more minutes. Drain off the excess grease.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium, then add Worcestershire sauce, salt, ground black pepper, canned diced tomatoes and chiles, milk, and sour cream to the skillet, and stir to combine.
- Assemble Casserole: Stir frozen corn into the beef mixture. Turn off the heat and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Layer frozen tater tots over the top of the cheese.
- Bake & Enjoy: Bake for about 30-35 minutes until the tater tots are crispy on top. Serve cowboy casserole with a side of green beans and 1-hour rolls!
Alyssa’s Pro Tip
Broil for Extra Crispy Tots! If you want the tater tots extra crispy, then turn on the broiler at the end and broil the tops for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
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Cowboy Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion about 1 medium onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic about 3 cloves
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and chiles
- ¼ cup milk
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (30-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add 1 pound lean ground beef to a 14-inch skillet and cook over medium-high heat until nearly cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Add 1 cup diced onion and 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook for 3-4 more minutes before draining off the excess gease.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and chiles, ¼ cup milk, and ¾ cup sour cream to the skillet, and stir to combine.
- Stir 1 ½ cups frozen corn into the beef mixture. Turn off the heat and transfer the mixture into a greased 3-quart baking dish, or keep it in the skillet as long as it is oven-safe. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Layer 1 (30-ounce) bag frozen tater tots in an even layer over the top of the cheese.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes until the tater tots are crispy on top.
Notes
-
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30–60 second bursts.
- Make Ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Baking Tip: If baking straight from the fridge, add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
- Alternate Prep: Or, prep just the filling ahead, store it separately, reheat on the stovetop, then add cheese + tater tots and bake as directed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Delicious Casseroles!
If you love easy casserole recipes, also try this Tuna Rice Casserole, Tater Tot Casserole, and my Chicken Divan Casserole. Here are a few more you need to check out!
This is a huge favorite of my grandchildren!!! And to be honest Grampa and I love it just as much! The tomatoes and sour cream make for a delicious sauce! Thanks for this great recipe!!
I love hearing this! Kids are the best critics!
Isn’t that the truth. If a recipe doesn’t have cream of something in it, I’m in
This casserole is simple and delicious. A family favorite!
Do you thaw the tater tots?
Husband loved it.
Great receipts and easy to follow . Thanks.
Love this recipe, it’s easy to put together, family loves it, and I like the fact that it uses a can of tomatoes and light sour cream rather than a can of cream soup. I will be making this again.
Just to verify – do not drain the can of tomatoes, Correct?
Correct, do not drain the tomatoes. This will help the sauce to be flavorful and thicken.