Filled with hearty ground beef, lots of veggies, and topped with crispy tater tots, Cowboy Casserole is one the whole family will love. Even the kids!
Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole
When the day has been long, there is nothing I look forward to then a hot meal on the table. Especially one that is filling, one the whole family likes, and one that takes minimal effort.
This Cowboy Casserole checks all the boxes. No wonder it’s a family favorite!
Casseroles are sent from the angels in my opinion. A dish that uses budget friendly ingredients and turns them into a delicious meal can only come from them.
All the delicious Southwest flavors I love, mixed with a tangy sauce, and tucked under a blanket of fluffy and crispy tater tots. I am drooling already!
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Ingredients Needed
- Ground Beef – Lean ground beef or substitute ground pork or turkey.
- Onion – Yellow or white work best.
- Beans – Black beans and pinto beans.
- Jalapeños – Fresh or pickled
- Corn – Canned, frozen corn, or even Mexi-corn
- Fire roasted tomatoes – Substitute diced tomatoes
- Sour cream – Substitute plain Greek yogurt if needed.
- Cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar or pepper jack.
- Tater tots – Frozen, you can also use hashbrowns.
- Cilantro – Substitute fresh parsley for garnish.
- Pantry staples – Olive oil, garlic, taco seasoning.
How to Make Cowboy Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 375°. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet until no longer pink. Add the onions, garlic, and peppers for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add the beans, corn, and tomatoes.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, sour cream, and half the cheese. Cook until warm and bubbly. Taste and season with salt and black pepper if desired.
- Spread the beef mixture in an even layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Top with a single layer of tater tots. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are lightly browned and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with parsley or cilantro.
For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.
Can I make it ahead of time?
You can prep this ahead of time up until the baking step. Wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Bake when ready.
Can I freeze it?
Bake and cool completely. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and bake at 350F until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
How long does it last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips for the Best Casserole
- Add in some frozen mixed vegetables to add in more veggies.
- Make this in the slow cooker. Add all ingredients to the crockpot. Cook on low for 5 hours. Keep the lid on during the cooking time for best results.
- Try spreading shredded hash brown potatoes on the top instead of tater tots.
- Use ground pork, ground turkey, or even meatless crumbles instead of the lean ground beef.
- Don’t have taco seasoning? Use a mixture of cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and onion powder.
Craving More Casseroles?
Some of my favorite meals are casseroles! Budget friendly, easy to make ahead of time, and great for using up leftovers. Some of my favorites are this cowboy casserole but with a cornbread topping, this crockpot taco casserole that is super cheesy.
But you can’t beat a delicious tater tot casserole, which is my husband’s favorite. He likes my Big Mac casserole, my crack chicken casserole, and my Philly cheese steak loaded tots casserole.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, pin this to your favorite casserole Pinterest board and share it on your favorite social media channels!
This Cowboy Casserole Recipe is budget friendly and full of flavors the whole family will love!
Cowboy Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 1 teaspoon olive oil optional
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 jalapeño peppers seeded and diced
- 1 ounce package taco seasoning
- 15 ounce can black beans drained
- 15 ounce can pinto beans drained
- 15 ounce can corn drained
- 14.5 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded and divided
- 32 ounces tater tots
- chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet until no longer pink. Add the onions, garlic, and peppers for 2-3 minutes or until tender.
- Add the beans, corn, and tomatoes.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, sour cream, and half the cheese. Cook until warm and bubbly. Taste and season with salt and black pepper if desired.
- Spread the beef mixture in an even layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Top with a single layer of tater tots. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are lightly browned and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with parsley or cilantro.
Notes
- Add in some frozen mixed vegetables to add in more veggies.
- Make this in the slow cooker. Add all ingredients to the crockpot. Cook on low for 5 hours. Keep the lid on during the cooking time for best results.
- Try spreading shredded hash brown potatoes on the top instead of tater tots.
- Use ground pork, ground turkey, or even meatless crumbles instead of the lean ground beef.
- Don’t have taco seasoning? Use a mixture of cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and onion powder.
Nutrition
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