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Cowboy Casserole Dinner Recipe

A hearty one-dish dinner combining seasoned ground beef, sweet corn, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots that's perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 can corn 15 oz, drained
  • 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar or your choice
  • 1 bag frozen tater tots 32 oz
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup 10.5 oz
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • large skillet
  • spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks, about 8-10 minutes until no pink remains. Drain off the excess fat.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
  5. Distribute the drained corn over the beef layer, spreading it out to the edges.
  6. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the corn layer.
  7. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top, fitting them as close together as possible for complete coverage.
  8. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until the tater tots turn golden brown and crispy on top and the edges are bubbling. For extra crispy tots, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
  9. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in microwave at 50% power or in a 350°F oven covered with foil. Freezer-Friendly: Freeze unbaked or baked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking or reheating. Substitutions: Use ground turkey or chicken for leaner protein. For vegetarian, substitute with black beans and pinto beans. Make gluten-free by using gluten-free soup and tater tots. Variations: Add diced jalapeños or use pepper jack cheese for heat. Mix in bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms for extra vegetables. Replace tater tots with cauliflower tots for lower-carb option.