Description
This cowboy casserole is the ultimate comfort food—easy to make, loaded with flavor, and topped with crispy golden tater tots. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or whenever you need a fuss-free, hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- Nonstick spray
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 1/2 pounds 90/10 ground beef
- 1 (1-ounce) envelope taco seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (10-ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (8-ounce) package shredded Mexican-blend cheese, divided (about 2 cups)
- 1 (32-ounce) package frozen potato tots
- Chopped fresh cilantro, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Cook 1 more minute.
- Stir in beans, diced tomatoes, and frozen corn. Cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
- Mix in sour cream and 1/2 cup cheese until creamy.
- Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and arrange tater tots in a single layer.
- Bake 25–30 minutes or until the top is golden and the filling bubbles.
- Let cool slightly, garnish with cilantro if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
You can substitute ground turkey or use vegetarian crumbles for a meatless version.
To keep tots crispy, reheat leftovers in a toaster oven or air fryer instead of the microwave.
Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce for extra spice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous scoop
- Calories: 663
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1474mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 92mg