Cowboy Casserole

If you’ve spent the day rounding up cattle, chasing kids or just trying to wrestle your email inbox into submission, nothing is more comforting than a cowboy casserole for dinner. This easy dinner idea made with ground beef, sweet corn and a creamy sauce tucked between layers of crispy Tater Tots and cheddar cheese is a meal that will make you rush home.

Classic Americana fare, our cowboy casserole recipe tips its hat to the midwestern hot dish, the cowboys and -girls of the Wild West, and the two brothers in Oregon who invented the Tater Tot. Cowboy Tater Tot casserole combines your favorite cowboy recipes and your best Tater Tot recipes all in one dish. It’s super customizable too: You can add beans, spices and more vegetables. Let your creativity run wild!

Cowboy Casserole Ingredients

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• Ground beef: Lean beef works well in this cowboy casserole recipe, especially since we mix the meat with creamy goodness. Ground turkey is another excellent option.
• Corn: This cowboy Tater Tot casserole calls for canned corn, but fresh or frozen can also work. Corn adds sweetness and texture to this dish, and it is a vegetable even your pickiest kid won’t notice.
• Cream of chicken soup: With its concentrated flavor, the savory soup, in concert with the milk, helps bring all our ingredients together. Cream of mushroom soup can also do the trick if needed. If you’re not into the canned stuff, make homemade cream of chicken soup and use it as a 1:1 swap.
• Cheddar cheese: The best cheddar cheese should bring flavor to this cowboy casserole recipe but also melt well, so opt for a medium or milder cheddar over sharp. Cheddar is one of the best melting cheeses and deserves the spotlight.
• Milk: Not quite skim and not quite whole, 2% milk helps turn the sour cream, soup and spices into a creamy sauce. (When you pick up your next gallon, decode all the numbers on your jug!)
• Sour cream: A dollop of sour cream adds texture and tangy flavor. None in the fridge? Greek yogurt and DIY buttermilk are suitable substitutes for sour cream.
• Seasonings: A little onion powder and black pepper add just the right spice to this cowboy Tater Tot casserole.
• Tater Tots: Is it really even a hot dish without tots? Grab a bag from the freezer section, or try homemade Tater Tots!

Directions

Step 1: Brown your beef

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Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large skillet, cook the beef over medium heat until no longer pink.

Editor’s Tip: While browning ground beef seems pretty straightforward, some tips include crumbling it in the pan, but not stirring it too much to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Add the other ingredients

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Stir in the corn, condensed cream of chicken soup, 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, milk, sour cream, onion powder and pepper.

Step 3: Layer the tots and filling

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Arrange 1 cup Tater Tots in a greased 3-cup baking dish.

Editor’s Tip: If you don’t have a 3-cup baking dish, you can use a 1-quart (or 7×7-inch square) baking dish for this recipe. Double the recipe for a larger pan size.

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Layer with the beef mixture.

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Add the remaining 1 cup Tater Tots, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

Step 4: Bake the cowboy casserole

Bake the casserole, uncovered, until bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.

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Recipe Variations

• Add aromatics: For a flavor boost, add diced onion and garlic to the beef as it browns, as in this Tater Tot casserole.
• Spice it up: Adding taco seasoning to your ground beef lends this dish a boost of southwestern flavor and flair.
• Get your greens: Fresh spinach, canned green chiles or frozen green beans are all awesome additions to this cowboy casserole recipe. If adding spinach or frozen beans, saute them first to remove some of the moisture.
• Make it a cheeseburger: Add some Thousand Island dressing and pickles to transform this into a cheeseburger Tater Tot casserole.
• Include some beans: A 1/2 cup black beans adds a touch more cowboy to this casserole.
• Bring on the bacon: Add salty, savory and crunchy bacon bits to the filling or on top of the cheesy Tater Tots. Or do both!
• Try more toppings: Chopped chive, parsley or cilantro adds flavor and a flash of green to the cowboy Tater Tot casserole. Crispy fried onions would be a hit topper too!

How to Store Cowboy Casserole

To store cowboy casserole, allow it to cool, then cover your leftovers tightly or transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for a few days or in the freezer for longer.

How long does cowboy casserole last?

Not very long at my house! Leftover cowboy Tater Tot casserole lasts three or four days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to three months in the freezer.

Can you freeze cowboy casserole?

You bet. To freeze an already baked casserole, wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer for up to three months.

How do you reheat cowboy casserole?

To reheat leftover casserole, pop it in a 350° oven until warmed all the way through. Allow a frozen casserole to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat it in the oven. You can also microwave leftovers, but know that Tater Tots get a little soggy when cooked that way.

Can you make cowboy casserole ahead of time?

To make the cowboy casserole recipe ahead of time, cook the ground beef, soup, sour cream, milk, cheese and spices, then store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to two days. When you’re ready to serve the dish, layer the tots with the filling and bake the casserole according to the directions.

Cowboy Casserole Tips

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Can you make cowboy casserole without Tater Tots?

If you don’t have Tater Tots, you can make the cowboy casserole recipe with shredded hash browns or diced potatoes. Homemade hash browns, fresh potatoes or frozen ones all work!

How do you make cowboy casserole in a slow cooker?

You can make cowboy Tater Tot casserole in a slow cooker, but you’ll want to double the recipe. Follow the recipe through Step 2, then instead of a baking dish, place half the Tater Tots in a 5-quart slow cooker, top with the meat mixture, and then add the rest of the Tater Tots and cheese. Cook, covered, on low for four hours.

What can you serve with cowboy casserole?

A crisp green garden salad or any green vegetable, like roasted asparagus or grilled broccoli, are good foils for the rich cowboy casserole recipe. Finish the meal with an apple brown betty or a cherry crisp for dessert.