Cowboy Casserole is a simple weeknight dinner with ground beef, beans, corn, cheddar cheese and sour cream all topped with crispy tater tots. It’s comfort food, delicious and family-friendly for sure!
This cowboy casserole is a totally irresistible, family favorite dish! It’s one of those meals that you can throw together in minutes, toss in the oven and have the most delicious, hearty dinner on the table with minimal effort.
I know this may not look like much and might even look a little unappealing, but I promise you this cowboy casserole is fantastic!
We’re heading into fall and winter and this cowboy casserole is going to be a dish you might find yourself making on repeat. It’s hearty and filling, packed with beans, cheese and then topped with tater tots . . .YUM!
I know there are casserole haters out there, but you really should give this one a try. I mean it’s got tater tots on top for heavens sake!
Who doesn’t love tater tots?
Pleeeease tell me you love them as much as we all do! If you ask me, I think tots are totally underrated! If you think french fries are good dipped in fry sauce, them try dipping your tots in them!
Ingredients for Cowboy Casserole:
- Ground beef
- Chili powder
- Canned tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Black beans
- Pinto Beans
- Frozen corn
- Cheddar cheese
- Tater tots
HOW TO MAKE COWBOY CASSEROLE:
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet, seasoned with the salt and pepper over medium heat until no longer pink. Add the onion powder, minced garlic and chili powder and mix well.
- Stir in the beans, tomatoes, green chilies, sour cream and cheese. Simmer for a few minutes then add the frozen corn
- Pour the casserole into to the prepared pan and top with the tater tots.
- Cook the casserole uncovered at 375 degrees until bubbly and golden brown, 40-45 minutes.
This casserole is not only delicious, but it’s totally customizable. You can easily swap out the beans for another kind or use two cans of the same kind of beans, use cheddar cheese instead of colby jack, use canned corn instead of frozen or leave out the corn.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, all you need to do it assemble it up to the point of the tater tots. Leave them off and cover the casserole and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake it, uncover it and place the tater tots on top and put it in the oven.
Just look at those crispy, cheesy tater tots! Honestly, this is one of my favorite casseroles I’ave ever made! You’re going to love it!
Also, if you love tater tots, this breakfast casserole is another family favorite!
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Cowboy Casserole
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained
- 1 (15-oz.) can pinto beans, drained
- 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1 (4-oz.) can diced green chiles
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 (32-oz.) bag tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, kosher salt and pepper; cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through. Add the onion powder, minced garlic, chili powder and continue cooking 2 to 3 more minutes. Drain any grease.
- Add black beans, pinto beans, tomatoes, green chiles, sour cream, 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese and stir into meat mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes. slightly. Stir in the frozen corn and transfer mixture to a greased 9- x- 13-inch baking dish.
- Line the top of the casserole with a single layer of frozen tater tots, making sure you cover the whole thing. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over tater tots, and return to oven for 5 more minutes.
- Let sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 45 mins
Recipe Source: Adapted from Southern Living
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