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Cowboy Casserole Recipe – Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Dinner Kids Love

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This Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, cheesy, and comforting tater tot bake loaded with savory ground beef, creamy sauce, sweet corn, and melty cheddar cheese. It’s a family-friendly dinner that’s quick to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken/celery)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained (or 1 1/2 cups frozen/fresh corn)
  • 2 green onions, sliced thin (optional)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up until no longer pink. Add diced onion and cook 2-3 minutes until soft. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
  3. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together condensed soup, sour cream, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika until smooth.
  5. Add drained corn and green onions to the skillet with beef and onions. Stir to combine.
  6. Pour the creamy sauce into the skillet and mix until everything is coated.
  7. Spoon the beef mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
  8. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.
  9. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
  10. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until tater tots are golden brown and filling is bubbly. For extra crispy tots, broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely.
  11. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and bake for another 5 minutes, until melted.
  12. Let casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra green onions if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free condensed soup and tater tots. Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Add extra veggies like peas or bell peppers for variety. Always use frozen tater tots for best crispiness. Assemble ahead and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking. Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy casserole, tater tot casserole, cheesy casserole, kid friendly dinner, ground beef casserole, comfort food, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/cowboy-casserole-recipe-easy-cheesy-tater-tot-dinner-kids-love/