Cowboy Casserole with Tater Tots

A white baking dish with cowboy casserole. A serving has been removed from the corner of the pan.

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My cowboy casserole layers seasoned ground beef, canned beans, corn, and fire-roasted tomatoes under a full bag of crispy tater tots. Taco seasoning gives it a Tex-Mex kick without measuring out a bunch of spices, and there's nothing to chop, so the only real prep is browning the beef. It bakes in a 9x13 and feeds 8.

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Total Time1

Course: Dinner Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 264kcal

Author: Samantha Erb

Equipment

large skillet
9x13 baking dish

Ingredients

1½ pounds lean ground beef
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
½ cup sour cream
2 to 4 tablespoons milk if needed
1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel corn drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes slightly drained
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans or kidney beans drained
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided
32 ounces frozen tater tots

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish and then set it aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon, until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked beef and stir until it is evenly coated.
Add the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, corn, diced tomatoes, beans, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything together until it's well combined and the cheese begins to melt.
If the mixture seems too thick, stir in 2 to 4 tablespoons of milk until the filling becomes creamy and easy to stir.
Pour the filling into the baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Place the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, covering the entire casserole.
Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling around the edges and the tater tots turn golden brown and crispy.

Notes

Use tater tots straight from the freezer so they get nice and crispy.

To make the tater tots extra crispy, broil the casserole for the last few minutes keeping an eye on them so they don't burn.

To make ahead: Assemble the casserole with all the ingredients except the tater tots and store it covered in the fridge. When ready to bake, add the tater tots and place it in the oven.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat leftovers covered at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes, uncovering them halfway through so the tots get crispy again.

Nutrition