Description
A hearty and delicious Cowboy Casserole featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, black beans, corn, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. This comforting casserole is topped with melted cheddar cheese and bacon for a flavorful, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Vegetables and Beans
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (12-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
Dairy and Sauces
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Other
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- Chopped scallions, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Bacon: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until they are crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan to add flavor to the next steps.
- Brown Beef and Season: Add the ground beef and chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are softened. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning to evenly coat the beef mixture with flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, black beans, corn, diced green chilies, half of the cooked bacon, and ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well to blend all ingredients thoroughly.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the beef mixture into a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese and the rest of the bacon on top. Arrange the frozen tater tots over the cheese layer. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. For extra crispiness, broil the casserole for a few minutes at the end if desired.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with chopped scallions, if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting cowboy classic.
Notes
- For extra crispy tater tots, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking.
- You can substitute ground turkey for a leaner option if desired.
- Adjust the taco seasoning amount to suit your preferred spice level.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure the taco seasoning and cream of mushroom soup are certified gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
