Description
“Make this quick and easy Cowboy Casserole for a hearty, family-friendly meal! Featuring ground beef, crispy tater tots, cheese, and a creamy sauce, this one-dish dinner is perfect for busy nights. Ready in under an hour!”
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 package (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook Beef & Onion: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Prepare Filling: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, corn, diced tomatoes, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and seasonings. Mix well.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef mixture to the baking dish. Arrange tater tots in a single layer on top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Add Cheese & Finish: Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheese over the casserole and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cowboy casserole, tater tot casserole, easy dinner recipe, family-friendly meal, ground beef casserole