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Cowboy Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 31 reviews
  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

A hearty and comforting Cowboy Casserole featuring crispy bacon, seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and green chilies layered with creamy soup and sour cream, topped with cheddar cheese and crispy tater tots. Perfect for a satisfying family meal baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein

  • 6 strips bacon, cut into small pieces
  • 1 pound lean ground beef

Vegetables and Beans

  • 1/2 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

  • 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Others

  • 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning
  • 32 ounces frozen tater tots
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Chopped scallions, optional for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the oven rack in the upper third for even browning.
  2. Cook Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until crispy, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain, leaving the bacon fat in the pan for flavor.
  3. Brown Beef and Onions: Add lean ground beef and chopped onions to the skillet with the bacon fat. Stir occasionally and break up the beef with a spoon until browned and onions are softened, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving a little for flavor.
  4. Add Garlic and Taco Seasoning: Stir in minced garlic and taco seasoning, cooking for about 1 minute to release the flavors.
  5. Mix in Remaining Ingredients: Turn off the heat. Stir in condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, black beans, corn, diced green chilies, half of the cooked bacon, and about half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
  6. Assemble in Casserole Dish: Transfer the skillet mixture into a 9×13 inch casserole dish and spread out evenly.
  7. Add Toppings: Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar cheese and remaining bacon over the top. Finally, arrange the frozen tater tots evenly over the casserole surface.
  8. Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Optionally, broil for a few minutes at the end to crisp up the tater tots—watch carefully to avoid burning.
  9. Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped scallions if desired, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy your hearty Cowboy Casserole.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat in the casserole.
  • Draining the black beans and corn is important to prevent the casserole from becoming too watery.
  • The tater tots can be swapped with frozen hash browns if preferred.
  • If you prefer extra crispy tater tots, broil during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking but watch closely to avoid burning.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture retention.

Find it online: https://yumrecipesfood.com/cowboy-casserole-recipe/