Cowboy Casserole Tater Tots
A cheesy, hearty casserole layered with seasoned ground beef and topped with golden tater tots. Easy, family-friendly comfort food ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
Casserole
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade
- 10.5 oz condensed cream of mushroom soup (or cream of cheddar)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup frozen corn optional
- 4 oz diced green chilies , drained (optional)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese reserved
- 32 oz bag frozen tater tots
- 2 green onions sliced, for garnish
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook chopped onion 3–4 minutes until soft, add garlic 30 seconds, then add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in taco seasoning and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat, add condensed soup, sour cream, corn, and green chilies. Mix until creamy, season with salt and pepper.
- Spread beef mixture into the prepared dish, top with 1 cup cheddar, then arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until filling bubbles and tots are golden. Optionally broil 1–2 minutes with remaining cheese for extra melty top — watch carefully.
- Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with green onions and parsley, then serve.
Notes
- To make ahead: assemble and refrigerate; bake 10 minutes longer if cold.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or lentils for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- For extra crunch, add panko mixed with melted butter across the top before baking.
- Double the recipe for a larger crowd and use a 13x9 pan or two pans.
Nutrition
Calories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 28gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 980mgSugar: 4g
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