Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, mixed vegetables, rich cheeses, and a crispy tater tot topping. This comforting casserole is perfect for family dinners and can be easily prepared ahead of time for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, deseeded and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
Seasonings and Dairy
- 4 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream, brought to room temperature
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1½ cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- 1½ cup cheddar cheese, freshly shredded (divided)
Topping
- 1 (2-pound) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a large 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart into smaller pieces. Once cooked, transfer the meat to a plate using a slotted spoon and discard any grease from the skillet.
- Sauté vegetables: Return the skillet to medium heat and melt the butter. Add the chopped green onions and diced green bell pepper, cooking until softened about five minutes. Stir in garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, cooking for one more minute while stirring frequently.
- Add beans and corn: Mix in the drained corn, black beans, and Rotel tomatoes. Cook for about five minutes, stirring often and reducing heat if anything begins to burn or stick.
- Incorporate dairy: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in sour cream, whole milk, and chicken broth until well combined.
- Combine with meat and cheese: Stir in the cooked ground beef, mozzarella cheese, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese until the cheeses are melted and the mixture is creamy.
- Assemble casserole: Evenly transfer the creamy meat and vegetable filling into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese on top.
- Add tater tots and bake: Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese-topped filling. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and offer hot sauce or ketchup on the side if desired.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The tater tots may soften over time, so reheat leftovers in the oven for best texture instead of the microwave.
- Freezing this casserole is not recommended as it may affect the texture of the tater tots and dairy components.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
