Description
This Creamy and Cheesy Cowboy Casserole is pure comfort food in a dish! Think tender ground beef, sweet corn, and green chiles smothered in a creamy spiced sauce, all crowned with crispy golden tater tots and a gooey layer of melted cheddar. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or cozying up on a weeknight. #CowboyCasserole #TaterTotCasserole #ComfortFoodGoals #HeartyDinner #CheesyGoodness
Ingredients
Scale
Base ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 2 teaspoons chili powder, divided
- 1 (10½-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5–6 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir in the chopped green chiles, corn, 1 teaspoon of the chili powder, and salt. Cook for 2–3 more minutes to meld the flavors.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, remaining 1 teaspoon chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano until smooth.
- Stir the soup mixture into the beef and veggie mixture, then fold in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Pour the beef mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.
- Top the casserole with a single layer of frozen tater tots.
- Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and the casserole is bubbling at the edges.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar over the top and return to the oven for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce if you like it spicy!
- Use cream of chicken or celery soup as an alternative to mushroom if preferred.
- Leftovers keep well—just cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days, then reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Top with fresh cilantro, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg