Can I make this Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the casserole the day before, cover it, and refrigerate until ready to bake. This actually helps the flavors meld beautifully.

What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup?

If you want to avoid canned soups, you can make a quick homemade creamy sauce with butter, flour, milk, and sautéed mushrooms or other veggies. Alternatively, cream of chicken soup works too.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of tater tots?

You can, but frozen tater tots give the casserole its signature crispy topping and convenience. If you use fresh, slice into small cubes and par-cook them before topping the casserole to achieve similar texture.

How do I prevent the casserole from getting soggy?

Make sure to drain the ground beef well and avoid thawing the tater tots before baking. Also, letting the casserole rest after baking helps set the layers and keeps the topping crispy.

Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole: Cozy & Easy Dinner

Description

Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish featuring a savory mix of ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and frozen corn, topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or a family dinner with its rich flavors and easy preparation.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 10.75 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups frozen corn
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup cooked and chopped bacon
28 ounces frozen tater tots

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cook the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces, until it's no longer pink. Drain the excess grease thoroughly.
Prepare the sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth and well combined.
Season the mixture: Add onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the soup mixture. Stir well to integrate all the spices evenly.
Add remaining ingredients: Using a wooden spoon, fold in the cooked ground beef, frozen corn, half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and the chopped bacon. Mix thoroughly until everything is well combined.
Assemble the casserole: Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly layer half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top, then arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
Bake the casserole: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the mixture is bubbly and the tater tots are crispy and browned.
Add final cheese topping: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining half cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots, then return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese melts fully.
Serve: Optionally sprinkle additional chopped bacon on top before serving if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting casserole.

Notes

For a lower fat version, use lean ground beef and reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
Substitute cream of mushroom soup with a homemade sauce for fresher taste.
Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup to make this casserole gluten-free.
Add diced onions or green peppers to the beef mixture for extra flavor and texture.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best texture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 460 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 680 mg
Fat: 30 g
Saturated Fat: 13 g
Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 23 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg