Cowboy Tater tot casserole is a combination of lean ground beef, corn and tater tots baked with cheese. An easy family favorite weeknight dinner that is great for potlucks as well.
If you love tater tot, next time try this taco tater tot casserole.
Cowboy casserole is so easy to make! Once the ground beef is browned with onions and garlic, the rest of the seasonings and ingredients are added. Everything is mixed together, frozen tater tots are scattered on top and the whole dish is baked in the oven until hot, bubbly and the cheese is melted. It doesn't get any easier and every bite will leave you wanting more!
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Cowboy Casserole
Cheesy and comforting family meal in one pot. It’s a perfect way to sneak veggies into your diet and it is hearty enough to feed a crowd. The crunchy top is always a favorite while the creamy bubbly beef mixture is to die for. My family really loves this casserole and it is a make ahead winner here.
Pro Tip
For the quickest version, a store-bought can of cream of chicken soup works perfectly. However, if you have a homemade substitute stashed in your freezer, feel free to use it for a from-scratch touch. And for crunchier Tater Tots, pop them in the oven for 10-15 minutes while you are preparing the meat mixture.
Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
- skillet
- Casserole dish
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 ¼ cup milk
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 1 cup cheddar cheese divided.
- 1 frozen Tater Tots 16oz bag
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic in oil. Add beef and cook until no longer pink.
- Drain the fat if necessary, then return to the stove top.
- Add seasonings and flour, mix well.
- Pour in milk and mix for a minute.
- Take off heat, add corn and ½ cup of cheddar cheese then mix well.
- Pour everything in a 3 qt oven safe dish.
- Arrange Tater Tots on top in a single layer and bake for 20 minutes.
- Take it out of the oven and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Return to oven for another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Video
Notes
- You can use canned corn or even fresh corn if you prefer.
- For crunchier Tater Tots, pop them in the oven for 10-15 minutes while you are preparing the meat mixture.
- You can make Tater Tot casserole in a cast iron skillet.
- Make sure to season the dish well and taste the mixture before covering it with cheese and then the tots.
- This can also be made in your slow cooker. Just put everything in the slow cooker, cover and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours until heated thoroughly. You will not get much crunch on the top but the edges will crunch really nice.
- Storage:
- Place leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Variations:
- Try peas, green beans, black beans, carrots, mushrooms or even a combination.
- Use a canned cream of anything soup for a quicker recipe and omit the flour and milk step.
- You can add bell pepper for additional flavor. Add it when you sauté the onions and garlic.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Nutrition
How to make Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole
Gather your ingredients. I used 90% lean ground beef and I feel the casserole would be greasy otherwise. If you have a higher fat beef make sure to drain excess fat.
For the cheese, I've used cheddar but colby would work just as fine.
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic then add beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain grease if necessary.
Add seasonings and sprinkle flour on top, mix well, then pour in milk and mix for a minute.
Remove from the heat, add the corn and ½ cup of cheddar cheese, then mix well.
If your skillet is not oven safe then pour the ground beef mixture into a 3 qt oven safe dish and arrange tater tots on top. Bake in the center of your oven for 20 minutes then remove from oven and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Return to oven for 10 minutes or until cheese melts.
Do I need to precook the Tater Tots?
Although you don't need to cook the Tater Tots before adding them to the top of the cowboy casserole, you can if you like extra crispy Tater Tots.
Serve with
Tater tot casserole is a hearty meal on its own, but you can also roast extra vegetables or serve it with a side salad.
Make Ahead
Tater Tot casserole is the perfect make ahead meal. Make the whole casserole, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months or refrigerate for 3-4 days.
More Tater Tot Casseroles
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Della
This is something my hubby and grandsons would love! Yum!
Vivian
It really is delicious so many different ways, Family really enjoyed this meal.