Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish featuring browned ground beef simmered with tomatoes, spices, and corn, topped with shredded cheddar cheese and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. This one-dish meal is perfect for family dinners, offering a delicious mix of savory flavors and textures in a simple casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1.5 to 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Optional: cayenne pepper to taste
- Optional add-ins: bell peppers, drained and rinsed black beans, or a can of mild green chilies
Other Ingredients
- 2 cans (about 15 ounces each) drained whole kernel corn or about 2 cups frozen corn, thawed and drained
- 2 cups (about 8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 32-ounce bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prepare for assembling the casserole.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up as it cooks and drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant to build flavor.
- Add Spices: Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds to toast the spices and enhance their aroma.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes to meld flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Mix in Corn and Extras: Stir in the drained corn along with any optional vegetables like bell peppers or black beans for additional texture and taste.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the beef and corn mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle about 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top to create a cheesy base for the tater tots.
- Arrange Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese layer, ensuring even coverage for a crispy topping.
- Bake: Bake the casserole for 25 to 30 minutes until the edges are bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Rest: During the last 5 to 10 minutes of baking, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots and return to the oven to melt. After baking, let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- You can substitute frozen corn for canned; just be sure to thaw and drain it well.
- Optional add-ins such as bell peppers, black beans, or mild green chilies enhance the flavor and nutrition.
- For spicier versions, add cayenne pepper to taste.
- Allowing the casserole to rest after baking improves slicing and serving consistency.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking for convenience.
