If your crew loves cozy, comforting meals that feel like a big hug in a dish—this Cowboy Casserole is about to become a family favorite. It’s packed with hearty ground beef, creamy sauce, corn, melted cheese, and topped with golden tater tots for the ultimate one-dish wonder. Whether it’s a chilly weeknight, a game-day gathering, or just one of those nights when you need something everyone will eat without complaint, this recipe totally delivers. Bonus: it’s easy to prep ahead, kid-approved, and guaranteed to leave clean plates behind.
Kelly’s Kitchen Tip’s
Drain excess grease: After browning the beef, dont forget to drain any extra fat so the casserole doesn’t turn out greasy.
Crispier tater tots? Bake uncovered and broil for the last 2–3 minutes to get the tops golden and extra crispy. You can also use tater rounds for this recipe if you can’t find traditional tots.
Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole earlier in the day or even the night before – without the tater tots, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Once ready, assemble with the rows of tater tots and bake.
Double & freeze: Make two—one for now, one for later! It freezes beautifully. Just thaw overnight and bake when ready.
Meal Prep: Once baked, section the casserole into 6 equal pieces and store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat the casserole in the microwave for 1 minute, stir and continue to reheat in 30 second bursts until fully heated through. The tots will unfortunately lose their crispness but it still tastes amazing!
Cowboy Casserole
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp creole seasoning
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp parsley
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 10 oz can of corn drained, I used roughly half the can
- 10 oz can of cream of mushroom
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups of shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 30 oz bag of frozen tater tots
- Sriracha
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown 1 lb of ground beef and diced onion over medium-high heat. Season with salt, pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp parsley, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp creole seasoning, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder.
- Once the beef is cooked, drain any extra grease.
- Add 1 tbsp minced garlic, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, your preferred amount of drained corn, 10 oz can cream of mushroom, 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, and 1/4 cup sour cream. Stir everything together well and place inside a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with a little bit more cheese.
- Next, add tater tots on top in a neat row until the dish is fully covered and bake at 400 degrees F for 25–30 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of Sriracha if you like a little bit of heat and enjoy!!
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