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Cowboy casserole in a deep skillet with crispy tater tots, seasoned ground beef, corn, and a creamy sauce topped with melted cheddar.
Hannah Cooking

Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole is a cheesy tater tot casserole loaded with seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, corn, and a creamy sauce. Easy comfort food for potlucks, family dinners, and leftovers.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Rest Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, bacon casserole, cheesy beef casserole, potluck casserole, tater tot casserole
Calories: 720
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb ground beef 80/20 or lean
  • 1 lb bacon cooked crispy & crumbled
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup 10.5 oz
  • 1 can corn 15 oz, drained
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper to taste
  • 1 bag frozen tater tots 32 oz
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup green onions sliced, for topping (optional)
  • 2 tablespoon parsley chopped, for topping (optional)
  • ½ cup jalapeños sliced, optional

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 baking dish glass or ceramic
  • 1 Large skillet for beef
  • 1 Baking Sheet for bacon (or skillet)
  • 1 Mixing bowl for sauce
  • 1 Spatula for stirring/spreading
  • 1 measuring spoon set seasonings

Method
 

  1. Let rest 10 minutes, then top with parsley, green onions, and reserved bacon.
  2. Brown Beef: Cook ground beef with onion until browned; add garlic 30 seconds. Drain excess grease.
  3. Season Beef: Stir in paprika, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper.
  4. Make Sauce: Mix soup + sour cream until smooth; stir into beef.
  5. Add Corn: Fold in drained corn and most of the crumbled bacon (save some for topping).
  6. Layer Tots: Spread frozen tater tots in a single layer in a greased 9x13 dish.
  7. Spread Filling: Spoon beef mixture evenly over the tater tots.
  8. Top Cheese: Sprinkle cheddar + mozzarella over the top (add jalapeños if using).
  9. Bake Covered: Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, covered with foil.
  10. Bake Uncovered: Remove foil and bake 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  11. Rest: Let rest 10 minutes, then top with parsley, green onions, and reserved bacon.