Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, one-dish comfort meal featuring seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and a crispy tater-tot and cheese topping. Perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater-tots
1 can (10 oz) enchilada or taco sauce
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional: chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, sour cream & green onions
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until beef is browned and onions are soft; drain excess fat.
3. Stir in black beans, corn, sauce, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper; simmer 2-3 minutes.
4. Transfer beef mixture into prepared baking dish; sprinkle half of cheddar cheese over the mixture.
5. Arrange tater-tots on top and sprinkle remaining cheese.
6. Bake 25-30 minutes until tater-tots are golden and cheese is melted.
7. Cool 5 minutes; garnish with green onions or sour cream if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Swap tater-tots for biscuit dough or cornbread topping if preferred.
Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for variety.
Assemble ahead of time and refrigerate; add tater-tots and cheese just before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 500