Description
Craving a cozy, hearty meal that’s ready with minimal fuss? This Easy Cowboy Casserole delivers serious comfort with layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy soup, sweet corn, gooey cheese, and crispy golden tater tots. It’s the ultimate go-to for busy weeknights, potlucks, or comforting family dinners. Whether you’re searching for an easy dinner idea, a kid-friendly casserole, or just something warm and satisfying, this recipe hits all the right notes. Quick prep, one dish, tons of flavor — this is your new favorite easy recipe.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion finely chopped
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn drained
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: sliced jalapeños chopped green onions or diced bell peppers
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onions until browned and soft, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef and onions with the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, drained corn, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
5. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.
6. Arrange frozen tater tots on top in a single even layer.
7. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until tots are golden and the cheese is bubbling.
8. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing — it sets better and serves neatly.
Use frozen tater tots straight from the freezer for maximum crisp.
Grate cheese fresh for a smoother melt and better texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: easy dinner, cowboy casserole, tater tot casserole, comfort food, easy recipe