Cowboy Casserole
Savory ground beef and corn in a creamy cheddar sauce, topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheese — an easy, hearty casserole the whole family will love.
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- ½ onion, diced
- 15 ounces canned corn, drained
- 10.75 ounces (1 can) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 20 ounces (1 bag) frozen tater tots
- Preheat your oven to 375°F so it's fully heated by the time the casserole is assembled and ready to bake.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together, breaking up the meat with a spoon as it browns, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion has softened.
- Drain off any excess grease from the skillet, then stir in the corn, condensed cream of mushroom soup, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, the milk, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well until everything is evenly combined into a thick, creamy filling.
- Pour the beef and vegetable mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer across the bottom.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots over the top of the filling in a single layer, covering as much of the surface as you can. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tater tots are golden and thoroughly cooked through. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Chef's Note: This is easy, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food built for busy weeknights — a savory beef and corn filling topped with a blanket of crispy tater tots and melted cheddar. Spreading the tater tots in a single, even layer rather than piling them up helps them all crisp evenly instead of some staying soft underneath the others.
A can of green beans makes a great swap for the corn if you want to change things up, and a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce stirred in with the seasonings adds a nice savory depth if you have it on hand. Leftovers reheat well in the oven, which also helps the tater tots regain some of their crispness that a microwave won't give you.
A few tools that make this recipe easier to get right.
As an Amazon Associate, Salt & Simmer earns from qualifying purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.