Description
The Cowboy Casserole features savory seasoned ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, sweet corn, and a creamy mushroom and sour cream base, all topped with golden, crispy tater tots and melted Colby and Monterey Jack cheese. It is a perfect one-dish meal for busy weeknights, family dinners, potlucks, or meal prepping for the week.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 for the most flavor
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 10-ounce can Rotel tomatoes, not drained
- 1 15.25-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 10.5-ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
- 1 1/2 cups Colby and Monterey Jack cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chives, chopped, for garnish
- 1 32-ounce bag tater tots
- sliced jalapeños, optional
- sliced green onions, optional
- diced avocado, optional
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat, until no pink remains. Drain the excess fat.
- Add the Tomatoes and Corn: Stir in the undrained Rotel tomatoes and drained corn, then simmer for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the Creamy Base: Add the cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, stirring over low heat for about 2 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Fold in the Sour Cream: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sour cream until the filling is smooth and creamy.
- Preheat the Oven: Heat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the Filling: Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared dish using a spatula.
- Top with Tater Tots: Arrange the tater tots in tight rows across the surface, covering the filling completely.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, until the tots begin to turn golden.
- Add the Final Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese evenly over the tots, then bake for 8-10 more minutes until melted and bubbly.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped chives right before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes