Cowboy Casserole
A quick and comforting casserole dish featuring ground beef, tater tots, and cheese, perfect for busy weeknights and family gatherings.
Ingredients
For the casserole
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup Can substitute with cream of chicken
- 1/2 cup milk Can use half-and-half or non-dairy milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Heat a skillet over medium. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir the cream of mushroom soup and milk into the beef. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the beef mixture in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the drained corn over the beef, then add the shredded cheese in an even layer.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
Baking
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Let rest a few minutes before serving so the layers set slightly.
Notes
For extra crunch, bake uncovered and move to the top rack for the last 5-7 minutes. You can prepare the beef layer and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before assembling and baking.