Cowboy casserole is a comforting dish that brings together ground beef, creamy elements, and a crispy topping for a family-friendly meal. It’s quick to whip up and perfect for those busy evenings when you need something hearty yet satisfying.
This recipe addresses challenges related to blandness, lack of texture, and insufficient creaminess found in standard casserole dishes.
One weeknight, I found myself scrambling after a long day and needed to pull something together fast. This recipe solved my dinner dilemma, providing layers of flavor and texture that made my family excited to gather around the table. Honestly, the smell of it baking is enough to lighten any stressful evening.
What makes this recipe shine is its simplicity and speed, you can prep it in just 10 minutes and have it on the table in 30. The creamy sauce contrasts beautifully with the crunchy topping, making it a delight to serve and share.
If you want another hearty option, check out my Ground Beef Hash Brown Casserole for a different take on comfort food!
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Hearty and Cozy Meal , This cowboy casserole brings all the warm feelings of a home-cooked meal into one dish, making it a comforting favorite for anyone coming in from the cold.
- Quick Prep Time , With just a 10-minute prep, you can whip this up on a busy weeknight. It’s a hassle-free way to get a hearty meal on the table in no time.
- Family-Friendly Flavor , The combination of ground beef and cheesy goodness paired with crispy tater tots appeals to both kids and adults alike, ensuring everyone will clean their plates.
- Leftover Hero , This dish stores well in the fridge and tastes even better the next day, so you can enjoy it for lunches or quick dinners later in the week!
Ground Beef Cowboy Casserole Delight
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
Hearty cowboy casserole with seasoned ground beef, corn, cream of mushroom soup, cheese, and crispy tater tots, an easy baked one-dish meal.
Ingredients
Scale
-
- Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef, lean, ideally 80/20
- 1 onion, diced (yellow onion preferred for sweetness)
- 10 oz (284 g) can corn, drained
- 10 oz (284 g) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 30 oz (850 g) bag frozen crispy crowns or tater tots
- Seasonings and Others
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp minced fresh garlic
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown Ground Beef and Onion: Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and diced onion. Cook until beef is fully browned with no pink remaining and onions are softened, about 7-8 minutes.
- Step 2: Season the Mixture: Sprinkle in 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp dried parsley, and 1 tsp onion powder evenly over the beef mixture. Stir well to blend all seasonings thoroughly into the meat and onions. Adjust seasoning to taste if desired.
- Step 3: Drain Excess Grease: Using a strainer or carefully tipping the skillet, drain any excess grease to avoid a greasy casserole and preserve texture.
- Step 4: Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in 1 tbsp minced garlic, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, drained corn, 10 oz cream of mushroom soup, and 1/4 cup sour cream into the skillet mixture. Mix thoroughly to combine flavors thoroughly.
- Step 5: Smooth the Mixture: Spread the mixture evenly in the skillet or transferred casserole dish, smoothing the top to ensure even baking and no dry spots.
- Step 6: Layer Cheese and Tater Tots: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the beef mixture. Cover with the 30 oz bag of frozen crispy crowns or tater tots in a single layer.
- Step 7: Bake the Casserole: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Place the assembled casserole dish in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. If using an oven-safe skillet, bake it directly in that. Monitor the browning on the tater tots and cheese to ensure even crispiness. If browning too quickly, tent with aluminum foil after 20 minutes. For crisper tater tots, place them on top 5 minutes before the end of baking.
- Step 8: Cool Slightly and Serve: Remove casserole from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and make portions easier to serve.
Notes
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- Storage Tips — Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep covered and avoid leaving exposed.
- Storage Tips — Refrigeration: Place in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days. Seal tightly to maintain moisture and prevent odors.
- Storage Tips — Freezing: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or use a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
- Expert Tips: Use lean ground beef with an 80/20 ratio for optimum flavor without excessive grease.
- Expert Tips: Drain grease thoroughly after browning to keep texture balanced and avoid a watery casserole.
- Expert Tips: If the casserole is watery after baking, extend baking uncovered for 10 additional minutes to evaporate moisture and firm the dish.
- Expert Tips: To ensure cheese melts properly, cover the casserole with foil for the first 15 minutes of baking, then remove foil to brown.
- Expert Tips: Add frozen corn (1 cup) five minutes before finishing beef browning if substituting for canned corn for better texture and sweetness.
- Expert Tips: Tent casserole with foil during baking if browning occurs too fast to avoid burning but ensure even cooking.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat casserole in an oven preheated to 350°F (177°C) for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through. Cover with foil to prevent drying out.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve alongside steamed green beans or a simple mixed green salad for a balanced meal.
- Serving Suggestions: Add roasted sweet potatoes or quinoa salad for variety and additional flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: Use leftovers as a filling for stuffed bell peppers, enchiladas, tacos, or add as a hearty ingredient in salads.
- Serving Suggestions: Top individual servings with salsa verde, Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, or sliced green onions for added flavor contrast.
- Recipe Variations: Substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner version.
- Recipe Variations: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure tater tots are gluten-free to adapt for gluten-free diets.
- Recipe Variations: Swap Colby Jack cheese for sharp cheddar for a bolder flavor impact.
- Recipe Variations: Use crushed tortilla chips instead of tater tots for a different crunchy topping option.
- Ingredient Notes: Choose lean ground beef (80/20) for juicy texture without excess grease.
- Ingredient Notes: Use yellow onions for a balance of sweetness and sharpness, diced finely for even cooking.
- Ingredient Notes: Fresh minced garlic is preferred over jarred to maintain bright flavor; mince just before use.
- Ingredient Notes: Select high-quality canned corn and cream of mushroom soup for consistent flavor.
- Ingredient Notes: Shred cheese fresh if possible, as pre-shredded cheese often contains additives that affect melting and texture.
- Ingredient Notes: For crispy topping, frozen crispy crowns or tater tots from reliable brands produce the best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: Go for lean ground beef, ideally 80/20, which keeps it juicy without excess grease. This ratio helps maintain flavor and texture in the casserole.
- Onion: A yellow onion works best for its sweetness and flavor balance. Dice it finely so it blends easily into the beef and sauce.
- Bell peppers: Use vibrant, fresh bell peppers for a pop of color and crunch. Red or yellow adds sweetness; green gives a more savory note. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic boosts the overall flavor. Avoid the jarred kind, as it can taste a bit off. Mince it right before using to keep that fresh taste.
- Diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes add moisture and acidity. Opt for low-sodium versions to control the overall salt level in your dish.
- Cheddar cheese: Use sharp cheddar for a bold flavor that melts beautifully. Shred it yourself for best results, as pre-shredded often has additives that can affect melting.
- Milk: Whole milk adds creaminess to the casserole. If you’re out, half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative like oat milk can work fine in a pinch.
- Pasta: Use small pasta shapes, like elbow macaroni, that cook well alongside the casserole. Make sure it’s al dente before mixing with the other ingredients for the best texture.
- Ground beef: Go for lean ground beef, ideally 80/20, which keeps it juicy without excess grease. This ratio helps maintain flavor and texture in the casserole.
- Onion: A yellow onion works best for its sweetness and flavor balance. Dice it finely so it blends easily into the beef and sauce.
- Bell peppers: Use vibrant, fresh bell peppers for a pop of color and crunch. Red or yellow adds sweetness; green gives a more savory note. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic boosts the overall flavor. Avoid the jarred kind, as it can taste a bit off. Mince it right before using to keep that fresh taste.
- Diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes add moisture and acidity. Opt for low-sodium versions to control the overall salt level in your dish.
- Cheddar cheese: Use sharp cheddar for a bold flavor that melts beautifully. Shred it yourself for best results, as pre-shredded often has additives that can affect melting.
- Milk: Whole milk adds creaminess to the casserole. If you’re out, half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative like oat milk can work fine in a pinch.
- Pasta: Use small pasta shapes, like elbow macaroni, that cook well alongside the casserole. Make sure it’s al dente before mixing with the other ingredients for the best texture.
Recipe Tips
- If the casserole appears watery, bake it an additional 10 minutes uncovered to evaporate excess moisture and create a firmer texture.
- For crispy tater tots, place them on top of the casserole 5 minutes before the baking time is up, allowing them to crisp up nicely without overcooking.
- If you find the cheese isn’t melting properly, cover the casserole with foil for the first 15 minutes, then remove to allow browning.
- When using frozen corn instead of canned, add 1 cup to the beef mixture 5 minutes before removing from heat for optimal texture and sweetness.
- If the casserole is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil 20 minutes into baking to prevent burning while ensuring everything cooks through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the cowboy casserole with a simple side of steamed green beans or a mixed green salad. Consider adding some roasted sweet potatoes or a quinoa salad for additional flavor.
Use the cowboy casserole to make stuffed bell peppers or enchiladas for a different twist. Add it to a salad for a hearty meal or serve it as a filling for tacos.
Top with salsa verde or a dollop of Greek yogurt for added flavor. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or sliced green onions can enhance the dish beautifully.
Recipe variations
- You can use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a leaner version of cowboy casserole, while maintaining the hearty texture and flavor foundational to the dish.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon chili powder along with the paprika and parsley to introduce a smoky heat that complements the existing seasoning blend perfectly.
- Either cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup can work, providing the creamy base; adjust cooking time slightly if chicken soup is thicker.
- If you need to serve 12 people, double all ingredients including 2 pounds of beef, 3 cups shredded cheese, and a 60 ounce bag of tater tots; bake accordingly.
- This recipe works great alongside other comfort dishes; I recommend pairing it with my Cowboy Breakfast Bowl for a satisfying meal experience.
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How to Store?
To keep your Ground Beef Cowboy Casserole Delight fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Place casserole in an airtight container. Keep it at room temperature up to 2 days. Avoid leaving it exposed.
Refrigeration: Store casserole in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days. Cover tightly to maintain moisture and prevent odors.
Freezing: Wrap casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Use a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
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