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Easy Cowboy Casserole

Easy Cowboy Casserole

Make this Easy Cowboy Casserole with ground beef, cheese, corn, and crispy tater tots. A simple family dinner that's hearty, cheesy, and delicious.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 525
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ pounds ground beef
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 10.5-ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 15-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 28 to 32-ounce bag frozen tater tots
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions for garnish

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  3. Cook the ground beef and diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the beef is browned. Drain excess grease.
  4. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  5. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
  6. Mix in the corn and diced tomatoes with green chilies.
  7. Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  8. Sprinkle half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the beef mixture.
  9. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
  10. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
  11. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the casserole and bake for another 5 to 8 minutes until melted.
  12. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

  • Do not thaw the tater tots before baking.
  • Drain the tomatoes well to prevent a watery casserole.
  • Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
  • Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.