Description
Hearty cowboy casserole brings rustic ranch-style comfort straight to dinner tables with layers of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese. Savory goodness fills each bite, promising a satisfying meal that connects families around warmth and delicious home cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 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
Soup and Potato:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 package (32 ounces / 907 grams) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Heat a large skillet and thoroughly brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles. Eliminate excess grease through careful draining.
- Introduce diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until the vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Create a creamy sauce by whisking together cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Enhance the sauce with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, stirring until the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Fold the cooked beef mixture, corn kernels, and half the shredded cheese into the creamy sauce, ensuring all ingredients are completely integrated.
- Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer across the bottom.
- Meticulously arrange frozen tater tots in a uniform single layer, covering the entire surface of the beef mixture.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the tots turn golden and crispy.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt completely.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes to set. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or green onions before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for lean turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version of this hearty casserole.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or diced zucchini to the beef mixture.
- Use low-fat cream of mushroom soup and reduced-fat cheese for a more diet-friendly option without compromising flavor.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together for an even more delicious meal when baked.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg