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
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- 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