Cowboy Casserole

Hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor, Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate family-friendly dish that combines simplicity with indulgence. This classic casserole layers savory ground beef, sautéed onions, and garlic with a creamy sauce made from condensed cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, creating a rich base that’s loaded with frozen mixed vegetables for a hint of freshness. A golden crown of crispy tater tots and gooey melted cheddar cheese elevates this dish to comfort food perfection. Ready in just under an hour, this easy-to-make, one-pan meal is ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika for an extra pop of color and serve it piping hot for a crowd-pleasing, homestyle dinner. Perfect keywords: "Cowboy Casserole recipe," "easy tater tot casserole," "family-friendly comfort food," and "ground beef casserole."

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon paprika (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until smooth.

Step 6

Add the beef and vegetable mixture to the bowl and stir well to combine. Season with salt and black pepper.

Step 7

Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8

Top the mixture with an even layer of frozen tater tots, arranging them in a single layer.

Step 9

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.

Step 11

If desired, sprinkle with paprika for a pop of color before serving.

Step 12

Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2385.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4495.3

Total Fat 301.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 130.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 29.9g
Cholesterol 670.1mg	0%
Sodium 9312.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 315.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.6g	0%
Total Sugars 32.3g
Protein 168.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2237.2mg	0%
Iron 14.8mg	0%
Potassium 4119.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.4%

Protein: 14.5%

Carbs: 27.1%