Cowboys and cowgirls will giddy up to this meaty, cheesy, tot-filled casserole!
Layers of seasoned beef, beans, corn, tater tots, and loads of melty cheese are all baked into this cowboy casserole.
This Cowboy Casserole Recipe is a Crowd-Pleaser Because …
- Who doesn’t love cheesy tater tots, tender veggies, and taco meat all in one dish?
- This kid-friendly dish is perfect for sleepovers and movie nights!
- Larger families and those on a budget will appreciate a casserole that’s healthy, wholesome, and full of flavor!
- Wrap up leftovers in tortillas for grab-and-go lunches!
Ingredients in Cowboy Casserole
Ground Beef: Ground beef is seasoned with taco seasoning (I prefer homemade). You can use ground turkey in place.
Soup: Cream of Chicken Soup adds a rich, savory flavor to this casserole. Cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup can also be used! Feel free to skip the can and make homemade condensed chicken soup.
Vegetables: Corn adds a sweet and colorful touch to cowboy casserole, but any veggie will do, even a bag of frozen mixed veggies (no need to thaw)!
Tater Tots: Tater tots, wedges, shoestring fries, diced potatoes, hashbrowns, and even leftover mashed potatoes can all be used in this recipe (be sure to use thawed potatoes).
Cheese: I shred my own cheddar cheese, but any pre-shredded cheese blend will also work in this recipe.
How to Make Cowboy Casserole
- Brown and season ground beef (recipe below).
- Stir in the beans and sauce ingredients.
- Add tater tots to a casserole dish, top with the beef mixture and the remaining tater tots.
- Top with cheese and bake until browned.
Storing Leftovers
- Keep leftover cowboy casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat portions in the microwave or the stovetop. Reheat larger portions (or the entire casserole) in a crock pot.
- Freeze portions in zippered bags for up to one month and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
More Ground Beef Casseroles
Did your family enjoy this Cowboy Casserole? Leave us a comment and a rating below.
Cowboy Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 ounce taco seasoning 1 packet
- 15 ounces canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn thawed
- 10 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup undiluted
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese divided, about 2 cups
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 16 ounces Tater Tots about 4 cups
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F.
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the beef, and cook until no pink remains. Drain fat. Add the taco seasoning and cook 2 minutes more.
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Add the beans, corn, soup, ½ cup cheese, milk, sour cream, onion powder and pepper to the beef and stir well to combine.
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Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and add half of the tater tots. Spread the beef mixture over top.
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Top with the remaining tater tots and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
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Bake uncovered until browned and bubbly, 20-25 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Beef, Casserole, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
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very easy to make and tasty
This was tasty, I admit I made a few adjustments to make it more “Cowboy” style. I added diced poblanos and onions to the meat mixture and I also may add some green chilies next time as the combination of cream of chicken soup and sour cream really diminish any “spicy” flavor the taco seasoning adds to the meat. If you like spicy food like we do I’d recommend adding some heat to your taste. I thought this was a great base recipe to make your own. I suggest garnishing with some salsa and sour cream! :)
That sounds delicious, Cindy! I am glad you enjoyed it.
this is so good.
So glad you enjoyed it, Tammy!