If you are craving a hearty, cozy dinner that practically cooks itself, this cowboy casserole is the answer. It is a creamy ground beef casserole topped with crispy tater tots and plenty of melted cheddar; perfect for busy weeknights and kid friendly meals!
If you love simple comfort food suppers like this one, you might also enjoy my hamburger potato soup, dump-and-bake ground beef and rice casserole, or this easy chili cornbread casserole.
Table of Contents
Before You Get Started
- Don’t skip the sour cream. It adds tang and creaminess that balances the richness of the soup and cheese.
- Arrange tater tots in a single layer. Overlapping tots won’t crisp evenly. Take a minute to line them up for the best texture.
- Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps everything set and makes it easier to scoop clean portions.
How to Make Cowboy Casserole
Step 1: Season and Brown the Beef
Start by browning the ground beef and optional onion (if using) in a large skillet over medium high heat. Break it into crumbles as it cooks. This takes about 6-8 minutes.
Drain off the grease so the filling stays thick and creamy.
Once the meat loses its pink color, stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional smoked paprika and Worcestershire sauce.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Filling
In a big bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk until smooth.
Fold in the drained corn and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar.
Add the cooked beef mixture and stir everything together. The filling should be thick, creamy, and well combined.
** Quick note: Taste it now and adjust the seasoning to suit your family.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
Spread the beef mixture evenly in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar over top.
Arrange the frozen tater tots on top in a single, neat layer.
Tip: You don’t need to thaw the tater tots before assembling the casserole.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Bake at 400 degrees F for 35 to 45 minutes. The casserole is ready when the filling is bubbling around the edges and the tater tots are deeply golden.
Let the dish rest for 5 to 10 minutes so it firms up for easy scooping. Your kitchen will smell amazing by this point!
Flavor Boosts
If you want to dress things up, here are a few simple upgrades.
- Ranch seasoning
- Cooked, crumbled bacon
- Pepper jack or Colby Jack cheese
- Sautéed bell peppers mixed into the beef
Variations
Protein options:
- Ground turkey or chicken
- Crumbled sausage
Vegetable ideas:
- Green beans, peas, or mixed vegetables
- Diced bell peppers
Topping choices:
- French fried onions mixed with the tater tots
- Bacon sprinkled on top before baking
Flavor twists:
- Pepper jack cheese for a little kick
- Ranch seasoning mixed into the beef
What to Serve with Cowboy Casserole
This rich, hearty casserole pairs well with light and simple sides. A few family favorites include:
- A green salad or coleslaw
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Jiffy Mexican cornbread or warm dinner rolls
- Old-fashioned applesauce
Storage, Freezing, and Make Ahead Tips
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave. For crispier tots, reheat the casserole in a 350 degree F oven for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Make ahead: Assemble the casserole without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time if it is going straight from the fridge to the oven.
Freezing: Freeze the unbaked casserole, wrapped tightly, for 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed. You can also freeze baked leftovers and reheat in the oven.
** Tip: Freezing the casserole unbaked keeps the tater tots crisper once cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cowboy casserole?
It is a creamy ground beef casserole topped with tater tots and melted cheese. It is hearty, simple, and perfect for family dinners.
What goes in a cowboy casserole?
Ground beef, creamy soups, sour cream, corn, cheese, and a tater tot topping. Everything bakes together into a filling, flavorful meal.
Can I use something other than tater tots?
Yes. Frozen hash browns or potato wedges/fries work, although tots get the crispiest.
Can I make this without canned soup?
You can use a homemade cream soup substitute made with butter, flour, broth, and milk. Just be sure the consistency stays thick.
Why are my tater tots soggy?
Make sure the beef and corn are well drained, the tots are in a single layer, and the oven is fully preheated. A hotter oven gives the tots more crunch. You can also place the dish under the broiler for the final couple of minutes to really crisp up the tops of the tots. Just keep a close eye on them so that they don’t burn!
Related Recipes
Watch How to Make It
Cowboy Casserole
Equipment
- 9 x 13-Inch Baking Dish
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup) (optional)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained (or 1 ½ cups frozen corn, thawed)
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Topping
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or use Colby Jack, pepper jack, or a blend)
- 1 (32 ounce) bag frozen tater tots (I use about 20 ounces; enough for a full, even layer)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Brown the Beef
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off excess grease.
- Season the meat with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce (if using).
Make the Creamy Filling
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk.
- Stir in the corn, ½ cup shredded cheddar, and the cooked beef mixture until fully combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Assemble the Casserole
- Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar evenly over the top.
- Arrange the tater tots in a single layer across the surface.
Bake
- Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the tater tots are crisp and deeply golden.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Drain ground beef well to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Drain corn thoroughly; excess liquid makes the filling watery.
- Arrange tater tots in a single layer for even crisping.
- Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Add ranch seasoning to the beef for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days; reheat in the oven for crispier tots.
- Assemble up to 24 hours ahead; add 5-10 minutes to bake time.
Did you make this recipe?
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