Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for family dinners. Featuring seasoned ground beef, vegetables, beans, and cheeses baked under a crispy layer of golden tater tots, this casserole combines robust Tex-Mex flavors with creamy textures for a satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, deseeded and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices & Condiments
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
Canned Goods
- 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel
Dairy & Liquids
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream, brought to room temperature
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1½ cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- 1½ cup cheddar cheese, freshly shredded (divided)
Other
- 1 (2-pound) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a large 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef while breaking it into small pieces. Once fully cooked, remove with a slotted spoon to a plate and discard the grease from the skillet.
- Sauté Vegetables: Return the skillet to medium heat and melt butter. Add chopped green onions and diced bell pepper, cooking for about five minutes until softened. Then add minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, cooking for an additional minute while stirring.
- Add Corn, Beans, and Rotel: Stir in drained sweet corn, black beans, and Rotel. Cook for about five minutes, stirring often and reducing heat if ingredients start to burn or stick.
- Add Dairy & Liquids: Remove the skillet from heat and mix in room-temperature sour cream, whole milk, and chicken broth until well combined.
- Combine Meat and Cheese: Stir in the cooked ground beef, mozzarella, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until the cheeses melt and the mixture is creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the creamy meat and vegetable mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Add Tater Tots & Bake: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the casserole’s surface. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and offer hot sauce or ketchup on the side if desired. Serve hot for best taste.
Notes
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Since tater tots soften over time, reheat in the oven rather than the microwave to maintain crispiness.
- Freezing this casserole is not recommended as the texture of the tater tots and creamy filling may be compromised.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
