Cowboy Casserole (Print Format)
Hearty casserole with ground beef, bacon, corn, and cheese topped with golden crispy tater tots for the ultimate comfort meal.
# Ingredients:
→ Main casserole ingredients
01 -
½ pound ground beef (85/15 lean)
02 -
1 cup corn kernels, fresh, frozen, or canned
03 -
⅔ cup condensed cream of mushroom soup
04 -
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
05 -
⅓ cup whole milk
06 -
¼ cup sour cream
07 -
1 teaspoon onion powder
08 -
½ teaspoon black pepper
09 -
½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
10 -
32 oz bag frozen tater tots
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 375°F and grab a 9x13 inch baking dish - this hearty casserole is going to feed a crowd!
02 -
Cook your ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Keep going until it's nicely browned all over with no pink remaining - this usually takes about 6-8 minutes.
03 -
Add the corn, cream of mushroom soup, half of your shredded cheddar cheese, milk, sour cream, onion powder, black pepper, and those delicious crumbled bacon pieces to the skillet. Stir everything together until it's well combined and looks wonderfully creamy and loaded.
04 -
Spread this amazing beef mixture evenly in your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, then arrange those frozen tater tots in a single layer over everything - they're going to get so crispy and golden!
05 -
Pop it in the oven uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the tater tots are beautifully golden brown and crispy on top. Your kitchen is going to smell incredible!
06 -
Remove from the oven and if you have any extra cheese, sprinkle it over those hot, crispy tater tots. Return to the oven for just 5 more minutes until the cheese melts into gooey perfection.
07 -
Let this cowboy masterpiece rest for 5-10 minutes before serving - this helps it set up and makes cutting and serving so much easier. Get ready for some serious comfort food satisfaction!
# Tips:
01 -
This hearty casserole is pure comfort food gold - combining all the best flavors of the Wild West in one satisfying dish that'll feed the whole family.
02 -
You can use any type of corn you have on hand - fresh, frozen, or canned all work great. Just make sure to drain canned corn well.
03 -
Save time by cooking the bacon ahead of time or using pre-cooked bacon bits from the store - both work perfectly in this recipe.
04 -
The resting time after baking is important - it lets the casserole firm up a bit so you get nice, clean slices instead of a sloppy mess.
05 -
This casserole is perfect for potlucks, family reunions, or any time you need to feed a hungry crowd with minimal fuss.