🤠 Cowboy Casserole – Crispy, Cheesy & Full of Flavor! 🧀🥓🥔
The ultimate hearty casserole with ground beef, bacon, creamy sauce, and crispy golden tater tots on top — this one’s a crowd-pleaser for sure!
🛒 Ingredients:
Main Layers:
- ½ lb ground beef (85/15 lean) 🥩
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned) 🌽
- ⅔ cup condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided) 🧀
- ⅓ cup whole milk 🥛
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled 🥓
- 32 oz frozen tater tots 🥔
🔥 Instructions:
1️⃣ Prep the Oven & Dish
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2️⃣ Cook the Beef
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
3️⃣ Mix the Filling
To the skillet, add corn, cream of mushroom soup, ½ the cheddar, milk, sour cream, onion powder, black pepper, and crumbled bacon. Stir until fully combined and creamy.
4️⃣ Assemble the Casserole
Spread the beef mixture evenly in your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Then arrange the tater tots in a single layer, covering the whole surface.
5️⃣ Bake It Golden
Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden.
6️⃣ Add Extra Cheese (Optional but Yum!)
Remove the dish, sprinkle a little more cheese over the top, and return to oven for another 5 minutes until melty and gooey.
🍴 Serving Tip:
Serve hot with a side salad or steamed green beans for a full meal! This casserole reheats beautifully for next-day leftovers too. 🥗🔥
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: ~1 hour
Servings: 6
