Cowboy Casserole Recipe

Active Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 15 mins

Servings:

6

Crispy, meaty, creamy, cheesy, this Cowboy Casserole is all of our favorite things in one dish. But perhaps the best part is how easy it is to make, thanks to the simple everyday ingredients and pantry staples that go into the meal. No matter who you’re serving or for what occasion, no one will leave your table unsatisfied.

Cowboy Casserole in a dish with a single serving on a plate — Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

What Makes It A Cowboy Casserole?

There are quite a few different versions of Cowboy Casserole out there. In fact, its versatility is one of the best parts about this recipe (more on that below). Even so, there are four ingredients that you will find in almost every recipe for Cowboy Casserole: ground beef, corn, shredded cheese, and Tater Tots. Without all of these elements, while we’re sure your casserole is going to be stick-to-your-bones delicious, it won't be a Cowboy Casserole.

Cowboy Casserole Ingredients

Our Cowboy Casserole does feature a few more easy-to-use ingredients in addition to those above. Here's everything you need:

Onions and garlic: These form a rich and flavorful base for the body of the casserole.
Ground beef: You’ll use an entire pound.
Taco seasoning: We like to rely on a packet of taco seasoning to give our casserole flavor and spice.
Black beans, pinto beans, diced fire-roasted tomatoes, and diced green chiles: A can of each of these (a small can, in the case of the green chiles) goes into the filling.
Sour cream and shredded Cheddar: These make the casserole thick, hearty and creamy.
Hot sauce: For a little added heat; feel free to skip it if you like.
Frozen corn: The corn is stirred into the filling last.
Frozen Tater Tots: This fan-favorite potato covers the top of the casserole. Unlike some other recipes, Cowboy Casserole is baked uncovered so the potato tots are given the chance to crisp up.

ingredients for Cowboy Casserole — Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Cowboy Casserole Variations

One of the best things about Cowboy Casserole is how easy it is to adjust the recipe to your tastes. After the ground beef, you can remove and/or add any fillings you’d like. In addition to those in our recipe, some other popular add-ins include northern beans, baked beans, canned chili, cooked bacon, chopped spinach, diced jalapenos, and sauteed bell peppers.

How To Make Cowboy Casserole Ahead of Time

Cowboy Casserole can be made anywhere from a day ahead to three months before you plan to enjoy it. If you want to make it a day or two before serving, make the filling, let it cool and then refrigerate it. When you’re ready to serve it, reheat the filling on the stove then add it to your baking dish, top with tots and cheese and bake. Or, if you’d like to make it ahead and keep it in your freezer for a rainy day, you can completely assemble the casserole, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to three months. We recommend defrosting it in the fridge before baking and serving.

Cowboy Casserole serving on a blue and white plate — Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Editorial contributions by Alyssa Sybertz.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 pound ground beef
1 (1-oz.) package taco seasoning
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained
1 (15-oz.) can pinto beans, drained
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
1 (4-oz.) can diced green chiles
1/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 (32-oz.) bag Tater Tots

Directions

Prepare oven:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook beef:

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.

Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Add beef and break apart with a spoon; cook until brown. Add taco seasoning and stir to incorporate.

Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Add tomatoes and beans:

Add black beans, pinto beans, tomatoes, green chiles, sour cream, 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, and hot sauce, stir into meat mixture and allow to cook until the liquid thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in frozen corn.

Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Transfer mixture to a greased 9- x- 13-inch baking dish.

Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Add potatoes and bake:

Line surface of casserole with a single layer of frozen Tater Tots. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Remove aluminum foil, sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese over Tater Tots.

Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Return to oven for 20 more minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall