Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and delicious one-dish meal featuring crispy bacon, seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and cheesy tater tots baked to golden perfection. With layers of savory flavors and a crispy topping, this casserole is perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning
Vegetables and Beans
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (12-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
Dairy and Others
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped scallions, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Bacon: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until they become crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan for added flavor during the next step.
- Brown Beef and Season: Add the ground beef and chopped onion to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat. Cook until the beef is well browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess fat. Then, stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning to evenly coat the meat mixture with flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup and sour cream until well combined. Add the drained black beans, corn, diced green chilies, half of the cooked bacon, and ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix everything together thoroughly to create a flavorful filling.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the beef mixture into a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese and bacon pieces on top. Finally, arrange the frozen tater tots evenly across the casserole’s surface. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. For extra crispiness, you can broil the casserole for a few minutes at the end, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with chopped scallions, if desired, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or cream of celery soup for a different flavor profile.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a lower-fat option, use turkey bacon and lean ground turkey instead of beef and regular bacon.
- Adding a layer of crushed tortilla chips under the tater tots can add extra crunch and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
