Cowboy Casserole

overhead picture of casserole with a wood spoon

Cowboy Casserole is an easy and budget friendly family dinner. Made with hearty ground beef, beans, corn, and tomatoes. Topped with a crispy, cheesy, tater tot topping.

Rate me!

Print Pin

Course: Ground Beef

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 30

Servings: servings

Author: Jennifer Stewart

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 9x13 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.

This recipe first appeared on Leftovers Then Breakfast.

Nutrition