Cowboy Casserole: An Easy and Delicious Tater Tot Bake Recipe
This Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, easy-to-make comfort food dish featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, sweet corn, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots baked to perfection. Perfect for a family dinner or potluck, it combines simple ingredients into one satisfying casserole with a crispy golden topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 lb ground beef
Vegetables and Canned Goods
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
Dairy
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
- 1/2 cup milk
Frozen
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Spices
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Mix the Sauce: Add the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper directly to the cooked beef in the skillet. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Layers: Grease a baking dish lightly. Spread the beef mixture evenly on the bottom of the dish. Next, add the drained corn in an even layer over the beef. Then sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on top.
- Add the Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots evenly on top of the cheese layer to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on the surface.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving to let the layers set slightly and avoid burning your mouth.
Notes
- Drain excess fat from the beef to prevent a greasy casserole.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup for variation.
- Use shredded cheddar cheese for a classic flavor or try a Mexican blend for a spicy twist.
- If preferred, swap tater tots with frozen hash browns for a different texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
Keywords: cowboy casserole, tater tot casserole, easy dinner, ground beef casserole, comfort food, baked casserole
