If you want a hearty meal that will both feed and wow your crowd come dinnertime, look no further! Cowboy Casserole topped with cheesy tater tots is a kid-friendly dinner that’ll have everyone lining up for seconds!
WHAT IS COWBOY CASSEROLE?
It’s an easy-to-make casserole perfect for the whole family! With the help of quick-cooking ground beef and prepared vegetables, you can have this casserole on the table in no time, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and feeding a crowd for any occasion! The bottom layer is fully loaded with a mix of flavorful ground beef chili, tater tots, corn, and onions, all to be topped off with a layer of crispy, cheesy tater tots.
If you love tater tot recipes, try our Tater Tot Casserole with a creamy mushroom sauce and ground beef and Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole!
COWBOY CASSEROLE INGREDIENTS
The beefy base of your Cowboy Casserole is very similar to the makeup of a homemade chili…only this chili comes together in less than 15 minutes and is extremely easy to make. It consists of:
- Ground Beef
- Chili Spices (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper)
- Onion
- Canned Tomatoes
- Beef Broth
- Cornstarch
Once your chili has come together nicely, it’s time for some savory add-in’s:
- Corn
- Cheddar Cheese
- Sour cream
And, last, but certainly not least…
- Tater Tots!
All of these ingredients come together to create one incredibly flavorful comfort food casserole that the men, women, and yes, even the pickiest of children will adore!
HOW TO MAKE COWBOY CASSEROLE
Cowboy Casserole is easy to make and requires very little prep. Aside from chopping an onion, it’s mostly just a little sauteeing here and there, followed by a bake in the oven!
RECIPE OVERVIEW
- Brown seasoned ground beef. Remove from pan.
- Cook onion in pan. Add beef, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and corn.
- Add cornstarch. Simmer to thicken.
- Remove from heat. Add sour cream and Cheddar and stir.
- Combine in casserole dish with half of the tater tots.
- Top with remaining tater tots. Bake 25 minutes.
- Add remaining cheese. Bake 10 minutes more.
A BEEF SAUCE FIT FOR A COWBOY
The seasoning used for the ground beef is very similar to those used for making chili. They are absolutely perfect for Cowboy Casserole! It is a simple mix of chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
The meat and seasoning go into a large sauté pan and the beef is cooked until browned. After the meat is cooked, transfer it to a bowl with a slotted spoon and remove the excess grease (if desired), but not all of it! You’ll need some of it to cook your onion.
YOU’VE GOT OPTIONS…
The onion only needs a short period of time in the skillet before it’s joined by its accompaniments: Crushed tomatoes, corn, and beef broth. If you can find fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, they will add a great deal of flavor and savoriness to your casserole, but you can still make a stellar casserole without it.
The corn adds a subtle sweetness to the casserole, but if you wish, this ingredient can be omitted altogether. Feel free to use canned or frozen corn. If you choose to use canned corn, be sure you drain it before adding it to your casserole. If using frozen corn, it can be added while frozen — no problem.
Note, this Cowboy Casserole Recipe calls for low-sodium beef broth. If you cannot find low-sodium broth, you’ll need to omit the quantity of salt called for in this recipe, and rather add the salt to taste after the beef mixture has come together on the stovetop.
CORNSTARCH FOR THICKENING
Next, you’ll combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl. This mixture is called a slurry. The slurry serves as the thickener for your Cowboy Casserole. It creates a thick and velvety sauce and helps the casserole to stay together when serving. In order for the slurry to do its job, it must first come to temperature and simmer briefly. Your beef mixture will be thickened in a matter of 3-4 minutes.
FINISHING TOUCHES
The last additions to the beef base are sour cream, Cheddar cheese, and half of the tater tots. If you do not wish to add sour cream, this ingredient can also be omitted, but it does help to cut through some of that savoriness and also adds a welcomed note of acidity to the casserole.
BAKE UNTIL BUBBLY
The ingredients are added to the casserole dish and topped with the remaining tater tots. Then, it’s off to the oven. All of the flavors and ingredients in the base of the casserole will begin to meld, and the tater tots on top will crisp up beautifully.
The last step is to top it off with the remaining Cheddar cheese and return to the oven just until melted and bubbly.
YOU CAN MAKE IT AHEAD!
Casseroles that can be made in advance can be a major life-saver on busy weeknights. To make your Cowboy Casserole ahead of time, the night before or the morning of, simply prepare the casserole up to the point of sending it to the oven. Rather than baking it, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate until you’re just about ready to bake it.
You can either set your casserole out 3o minutes prior to baking to remove some of the chill, or you can add 10 minutes to the first indicated bake time. So rather than baking it for 25 minutes (before adding the cheese), you’ll bake it for 35 minutes, then add the cheese and bake 10 minutes more as directed. So just to recap:
- Follow the recipe up to the point of baking. Cover and refrigerate.
- Set out 30 minutes prior to baking or add 10 minutes to the cook time.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH COWBOY CASSEROLE
Cowboy Casserole is hearty enough to be served on its own without having to whip up any extra side dishes. However, if you’re looking to add on to your dinner menu, any of the following side dish items would pair wonderfully with Cowboy Casserole:
The flavor in this casserole is outstanding, and you’ll find it just as good the next day as it was the first. In fact, it is a dish that our family actually looks forward to eating leftover! The combination of an easy ground beef chili topped with cheesy tater tots is tough to beat, and this Cowboy Casserole Recipe is sure to become a new family favorite. Please, enjoy!
5 MORE DINNER CASSEROLES YOU’LL LOVE
- Tex-Mex Beef Enchiladas are easy baked in a casserole dish and topped with a perfect enchilada gravy and melty cheese!
- Homemade Chicken Pot Pie features a delicious, savory filling of juicy chicken, tender vegetables, and a creamy gravy enclosed in a double-layer of flaky pie crust.
- Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is loaded with bell peppers, onions, chicken, and spaghetti and smothered in a savory, homemade cream of mushroom sauce.
- Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is an American classic featuring chicken, broccoli, rice, melty Colby Jack cheese and a crunchy Cornflake topping.
- King Ranch Casserole is a hearty stacked enchilada casserole featuring shredded chicken, corn tortillas, hearty vegetables, cheese, and a creamy Tex-Mex sauce.
An easy Cowboy Casserole Recipe loaded ground beef, tater tots, and cheese! Perfect for weeknight family dinners and feeding a crowd.
- 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes (preferably fire-roasted)
- 1 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup corn
- 1 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 1/4 cup freshly grated Cheddar cheese
- 1 (32 ounce) package of frozen tater tots
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Preheat the oven to 375° and have ready a greased 9x13" casserole dish.
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Add to ground beef, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Break apart the meat, blending in the spices and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often.
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Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a bowl and set aside. Turn off the heat and carefully, spoon out all but a thin layer of grease and discard. Resume medium-high heat setting, add the diced onion and sauté 3-4 minutes, until softened.
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Add the beef back into the pan, along with crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and corn. Bring to a simmer.
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In a small bowl, mix together cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, and stir into the beef mixture. Simmer 3-4 minutes until thickened. Turn off the heat and stir in sour cream and 1 cup of Cheddar cheese.
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Add half of the tater tots to the prepared casserole dish and pour over the beef mixture. Stir to combine. Top with the remaining tater tots and bake for 25 minutes, uncovered.
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Add the Cheddar cheese and bake for 10 minutes more. Allow to cool slightly, serve, and enjoy.
This honestly sounds like perfection! Will be adding it to my dinner rotation!
Thank you, Tayler!
would you PLEASE PUT IN THIS RECIPE IF THE TATER TOTS ARE FROZEN OR THAWED WHEN YOU PUT THEM IN THE CASSEROLE!!! I have looked for 45 minutes trying to find where that would have been said. Some recipes call for using them frozen and some thawed which is important in the bake time. Thank you!!
Hi there, Kathy! The tater tots are frozen going in!
I love everything about this casserole! It became an instant family favorite!
This casserole looks amazing! Wish I was there when you made it 🙂
This is most definitely a whole-family pleasing meal. Pinned!
Okay, I drooled looking at your photos! I’ve never heard of cowboy casserole but not that I have to make it asap! Tater tots on top of cheesy beef!? Sign me up!
This casserole will become a family favorite for sure. Love how simple it is to prepare and comes out with so much flavor.
I made this and it was gone within minutes from the kiddos plates. Can’t wait to make it again soon.
Oh yay! I’m so glad! Thanks so much for letting me know, Des 🙂
I love baked dinners. I am a sucker for any pasta bake, so I’m actually picturing subbing the tater tots with pasta here! Would also taste delicious!
I’m sure that pasta would taste good in this, but the tater tots are a nice change.
We love cowboy casserole!!! It’s one of our go-to weekly meals!!! So good!
Casseroles are just the best! And this one is surely a winner! So much flavor, what’s not to love? Perfect for the whole family!
Thanks so much, Sherri!
YES PLEASE!! I am so sad that I have never heard of cowboy casserole until now. My kids are going to freak out when I make them this delicious casserole! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Anything with cheese and tator tots is my favorite. This sounds amazing and hearty with ground beef. I love that I can throw it all together just in time for a quick dinner for the family.
I’ve never heard of cowboy casserole, this looks amazing! We’re vegetarian so I’m gonna try to make a veggie version of this. Thanks for the inspiration x
Oooh yeah! This looks awesome ;D I’ve never had a cowboy casserole before but I’m eager to try this sometime ^_^
You had me at tater tots for dinner! And my son, too! 🙂 So nice to have a simple meal that pleases everyone!
Thanks so much, Monica!
This looks like the best comfort food! It’s the kind of meal I go back for seconds, and probably thirds… plus anything topped with cheese and you’ve won me over! Need to make this ASAP!
What a hearty looking casserole! I would definitely try this on a weekend. I’m sure my family would love it!
My husband is obsessed with casseroles! I can’t wait to surprise him with this. I’m loving the ingredients you have thrown in here, I have never tried anything like this. Yum!
It’s so yummy! He’ll love it! Thanks, Sam!
This sounds amazing! Is Cowboy Casserole a name you made yourself? I love it! All the flavors look on point!
Oh, I have a major weakness for tater tots and anything cheesy, so I definitely need to try this! This looks incredible. Thanks so much for sharing!
This looks like a winner of a casserole. Perfect for comfort food season. Great to take along to a potluck too.
Oh, sweet Lord! I’m all about this casserole right now! In my opinion, all casseroles should have ground beef, but you’ve taken this one to a whole new level! You totally have me with the fire roasted tomatoes. They can add flavour to just about anything!!
Ha! Thanks, Bryon! You could totally sub in ground beef for the turkey here if you wanted 😉
Oh, that cheese on the top did it for me! What an easy casserole to throw together and everyone knows that kids just adore tater tots. I like adding some additional on the top so they can get nice and crispy and maybe, just maybe, there might be a little snitching of the tater tot and cheese before it gets to the table. lo Just sayin’!
My family loves this dish. Why not put the cheese on top of the beef mixture and then add the tater tots. Nice and crispy.
This is something my boyfriend would just LOVE!! Such an easy meal to throw together and so many delicious flavors!
Oh, I love tater tots! In fact, I always look forward to tater tots day. This cowboy casserole is perfect for a quick midweek dinner and/or a gathering. And they freeze well, too!
The casserole look super cheesy and delicious…it sounds like a perfect dinner option for cold and cozy nights
I’ve not heard of cowboy casserole. Thanks for introducing me to a dish. I love how you can make this ahead of time and you can feed the whole family with one pan!
Your cowboy casserole looks and sounds delicious. A great family meal that young and old will enjoy!
I never added tater tots to casseroles, that looks like a great idea.
I am keen to make this casserole ASAP! It looks so good and must be the center of everyone’s attention!
When I think of casserole recipes, I think of exactly what you have here – rich, mouthwatering and sooo goood! Can’t wait to try it.
I’m trying this for the first time. I didn’t have crushed tomatoes so I used salsa instead. It smells great! Can’t wait to eat it
Thank you so much, Carrie! Hope it turned out well with your salsa sub — smart thinking!
Just wondering if this can be made in a casserole crockpot?
We haven’t tested that cooking method yet. Sorry, Lorri! If you experiment, let us know how it turns out! 🙂
Very good. My family loves it and it’s in out rotation. I’ve also frozen it, no problems. I also increased all of the seasonings, tomatoes, corn and sour cream the 2nd time I made it.
How would I need to adjust the recipe to use only 1lb of ground beef?
Hi Anna! You really won’t need to adjust the recipe at all. It will just be less beefy 😉
Do you thaw the tater tots? Or just put the frozen ones in the casserole dish?
Hi Kelli! Just add them frozen 🙂
i have a smaller pan so i have a bunch of the beefy mixture leftover, any ideas don’t wanna waste it!
Hi Lisa! You could always top it with some mashed potatoes and bake a make-shift/Texas-style Shepards pie! 😉