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Easy Cowboy Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 72 reviews

Easy Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting layered dish featuring ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, bacon, corn, and crispy tater tots topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole combines savory flavors with a crunchy top layer, baked to golden perfection in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Dairy

  • 1/2 pound ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled

Vegetables and Canned Goods

  • 1 cup corn
  • 2/3 cup condensed cream of mushroom soup

Spices

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Other

  • 32 ounces tater tots

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks.
  3. Mix the filling: To the cooked beef in the skillet, add corn, condensed cream of mushroom soup, half of the shredded cheddar cheese (½ cup), whole milk, sour cream, onion powder, black pepper, and crumbled bacon. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
  4. Layer the casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread the beef mixture evenly as the first layer. Then, add a layer of shredded cheddar cheese. Finally, arrange the tater tots in a single layer to cover the cheese completely.
  5. Bake the casserole: Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
  6. Finish with cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top, and return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

Notes

  • Use 85/15 ground beef to balance flavor and fat for a juicy filling.
  • Crumbled cooked bacon adds smoky depth but can be omitted or replaced with turkey bacon for a leaner option.
  • For a crispier top, you can broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after the final cheese layer melts—keep a close watch to avoid burning.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • Feel free to add diced onions or bell peppers when cooking the beef for extra flavor and veggies.

Keywords: cowboy casserole, tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole, comfort food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/easy-cowboy-casserole-recipe/