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A white casserole of tater tot with a spoon in it.
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4.80 from 5 votes

Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole

Cowboy casserole recipe is an easy casserole recipe made with a handful of simple ingredients and great for weeknight meals. Ground meat, onion, garlic and sweet corn are combined with tater tots to make this casserole.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time45 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 428kcal
Author: Amira

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 then return to 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 remaining cheese on top. Return it to the 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:
    • Cowboy Tater Tot casserole in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Variations:
    • Try peas, green beans, black beans, carrots, mushrooms or even a combination as you really can't go wrong in the recipe.
    • Use a can make a casserole with a cream of chicken soup.
    • Use can try using heavy cream or stock for a richer flavor.
    • You can add bell pepper for additional flavor. Add it when you sauté the onions and garlic.
  • Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 206mg | Potassium: 503mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 278IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 223mg | Iron: 2mg