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5 from 5 votes

Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and topped with crispy tater tots. A hearty, budget-friendly dinner that’s kid-approved and weeknight easy.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dinner, entree, Main Course, main dish
Cuisine: American, southwest, texmex
Keyword: cowboy casserole, cowboy casserole recipe, easy cowbow casserole, family favorite, quick cowboy casserole, taco cowboy casserole, tater tot casserole, tater tot casserole recipe
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Alyssa Rivers

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.
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Nutrition

Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 718mg | Potassium: 637mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 542IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 280mg | Iron: 3mg

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