Description

This Cheesy One Pot Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mashup — loaded with spicy beef chili, smoky chorizo, crispy tater tots, and layers of gooey cheese. A hearty one-pan meal that feels like a blend of nachos, chili, and shepherd’s pie. Ideal for cozy nights, brunch, or feeding a hungry crowd

Ingredients

For the cowboy casserole:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 tsp salt
2oz (50g) chorizo, diced
1/3 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped (or 2 fresh jalapeños)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp dried oregano
Black pepper, to taste
1lb (500g) ground beef
2 cans (14.5oz/400g each) crushed tomatoes
1 can (14.5oz/400g) black beans, drained
1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Tater tots (enough to cover the casserole)

For the toppings:
1 large ripe avocado
Handful of cilantro, chopped
1 lime, juiced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tsp chili powder

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 430°F (220°C).
Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, diced onion, chorizo, and 1 tsp salt. Sauté until the onion is soft and chorizo releases its oils.
Add jalapeños, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic, and black pepper. Stir for 2 minutes.
Add ground beef, break it up, and cook until browned (5 mins).
Stir in tomatoes, black beans, corn, and 3/4 cup water. Simmer for 10 mins.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Add half the cheese, then layer tater tots on top.
Sprinkle remaining cheese over tater tots. Bake 25–30 mins until golden and bubbling.
While baking, mash avocado with lime juice, cilantro, and salt.

Remove casserole from oven, top with sour cream, whipped avocado, cilantro, and a dusting of chili powder. Serve hot.

Notes

You can swap the ground beef for turkey or plant-based meat. Adjust spice level by using fresh vs pickled jalapeños. Make it ahead and reheat in the oven.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
Calories: 610
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 920mg
Fat: 37g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 90mg