Description
This hearty Cowboy Casserole combines savory ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, sweet corn, crispy bacon, and golden tater tots topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, it bakes to bubbly, cheesy perfection in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Dairy
- ½ pound ground beef (85/15)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
Vegetables & Others
- 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned, drained)
- ⅔ cup condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 32 ounces tater tots (about 4 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked through, then drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Combine Mixture: Add corn, cream of mushroom soup, ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, whole milk, sour cream, onion powder, and black pepper to the skillet with the beef. Stir well and heat through to blend all flavors evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly to form a base layer.
- Add Tater Tots and Toppings: Arrange a single layer of tater tots over the beef mixture. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy and the casserole is bubbly and hot throughout.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving to let it set for easier portioning and to enhance flavors.
Notes
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked bacon or bacon bits.
- For a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
- Substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup for a different flavor profile.
- Use frozen tater tots straight from the freezer without thawing for best texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
