Description
Hearty cowboy casserole brings rustic ranch flavors to dinner tables with ground beef, potatoes, and cheese melding into a comforting one-dish wonder. Midwestern home cooks will savor this simple, satisfying meal that fills hungry bellies with classic American charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Dairy:
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 1 can corn (drained)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Pantry and Frozen Ingredients:
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 bag frozen tater tots
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C) with rack in center position.
- Brown ground beef and diced onions in large skillet over medium-high heat, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Combine cooked meat mixture with corn, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, seasoning to create rich filling.
- Transfer savory mixture into rectangular baking dish, spreading evenly across bottom surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over meat layer to create melty coverage.
- Strategically arrange frozen tater tots in uniform rows across cheese, ensuring complete top layer.
- Slide casserole into preheated oven, baking for 25-30 minutes until potato nuggets transform into crispy golden-brown peaks and cheese melts completely.
- Remove from oven and allow 5-7 minutes resting time to set and cool slightly before serving family-style.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, healthier alternative that still packs incredible flavor.
- Add diced bell peppers or jalapeños to the beef mixture for extra color, nutrition, and a southwest-inspired kick.
- Sprinkle some crispy bacon bits on top before baking to elevate the classic cowboy comfort food with an additional layer of smoky richness.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, making this dish accessible for more dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 525 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg