Your new weeknight 30-Minute Favorite: Easy Cowboy Casserole Packed with Ground Beef, Corn, Cheese, and Tater Tots!
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Pin RecipeThe Best 30-Minute Cowboy Casserole Recipe
You can’t go wrong with this hearty casserole recipe that is simple yet satisfying, perfect for any family dinner!
This easy dinner recipe starts by mixing browned ground beef with creamy condensed chicken soup and canned corn before scooping into a casserole dish.
Next, the beef filling is topped with frozen tater tots and shredded cheese.
In under 30 minutes you will have one easy, cheesy ground beef casserole that your family is going to love!
(For another satisfying cowboy-inspired recipe, try my Cowboy Soup!)
Ingredients for Cowboy Casserole
To print: see recipe card below
- 1/2 pound Ground beef
- 1 can (15.25 ounces) Canned corn, drained – I like to use sweet yellow corn, but any type of corn in a can will work. Make sure you strain and discard the juice so it doesn’t make the filling too watery.
- 2/3 cup Condensed cream of chicken soup – Cambell’s condensed soup is always my favorite brand, but any type will work!
- 1/2 cup Shredded cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese is the most flavorful. For the best taste and texture, buy a block, and shred it yourself.
- 1/2 cup Whole milk – Skim or 2% milk will work as well.
- 2 Tablespoons Sour cream – Sour cream gives the filling a tangy flavor and thick texture.
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 2 cups Frozen Tater Tots – A 32-ounce bag of tater tots will have about 2 cups.
Variations:
- Replace the cheddar cheese with mozzarella cheese or pepper jack cheese.
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup will work well instead of condensed cream of chicken soup.
- Use 1 1/2 cups of frozen corn kernels instead of canned corn.
Directions For How to Make Cowboy Casserole
- Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9×13” baking dish with cooking spray.
- Make the filling: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Then, stir in the corn, condensed chicken soup, 1/4 cup of shredded cheese, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble: Spread the beef filling the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Then, top the mixture with the tater tots and the remaining cheese.
- Bake: Transfer the dish to the preheated oven. Bake until the cheese is melted and the top is golden brown.
- Enjoy: Scoop the cowboy casserole onto plates, and serve while hot!
Serving Suggestions:
- Side Salad: Serve the casserole with a side salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette for a fresh contrast.
- Cornbread: A side of warm cornbread pairs perfectly with the flavors in the casserole.
- Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, green beans, or carrots add color and nutrition to the meal.
- Coleslaw: A creamy coleslaw adds a cool and crunchy element to the meal.
- Garlic Bread: Serve with garlic bread for a comforting carb-rich meal.
- Fresh Fruit: A side of fresh fruit salad or sliced fruit adds a refreshing touch to the meal.
How To Store + Reheat
- Cover the whole dish with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to four to five days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
- You can also assemble the casserole in advance, and freeze it before baking. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months. Bake the frozen casserole for 30-35 minutes when you are ready to serve.
Quick Tip
To add more bulk and nutrients to this cowboy casserole recipe, feel free to stir in extra ingredients such as black beans, pinto beans, or diced tomatoes!
Cowboy Casserole
This easy cowboy casserole is simple to make, hearty, and filling. The mix of ground beef, corn, cheese, and tater tots is pure comfort food perfection!
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish
- large skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 can (15.25 ounces) corn, drained
- 2/3 cup condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 Tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9×13” baking dish.
- Add the ground beef to a large skillet and heat over medium high heat, chopping into small pieces as it cooks. Cook the beef until it is no longer pink, about 8 minutes.1/2 pound ground beef
- Stir in the corn, condensed chicken soup, ¼ cup of the shredded cheese, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Remove the pan from the heat.1 can (15.25 ounces) corn, drained, 2/3 cup condensed cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup whole milk, 2 Tablespoons sour cream, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Spread the ground beef mix into the 9×13 baking dish then top with the tater tots.2 cups frozen tater tots
- Sprinkle the layer of tater tots with the shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The cheese will be melted and starting to turn golden brown. Enjoy while hot!
Notes
- Replace the condensed chicken soup with condensed cream of mushroom soup.
- Sprinkle ½ cup of chopped bacon on top of the tater tots before adding the cheese.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 509mg | Potassium: 208mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!
Did you make this Cowboy Casserole? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
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