Description
Hearty cowboy casserole brings rustic ranch flavors straight to your dinner table with layers of ground beef, potatoes, and cheesy goodness. Comfort meets convenience in this crowd-pleasing meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup diced bacon
- 2 cups shredded chicken
Vegetables:
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups tater tots
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef and bacon together over medium-high heat until meat is completely cooked and crispy, about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add shredded chicken, corn, onions, and bell peppers to the meat mixture, stirring to combine evenly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, eggs, and milk until smooth and well-integrated.
- Pour the creamy mixture over the meat and vegetable blend, incorporating all seasonings including chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Gently fold in shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Arrange tater tots across the top of the casserole in a uniform pattern, covering the entire surface.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-7 minutes to allow the casserole to set.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- Customize meat options by swapping ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for dietary preferences.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and controlling salt quantities during seasoning.
- Make ahead by preparing the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerating before baking, which allows flavors to meld beautifully.
- Elevate texture by partially cooking tater tots before topping the casserole for extra crispiness and golden-brown perfection.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg