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A glass baking dish filled with cheesy tater tot casserole, ground beef, and green onions.

Hearty Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole

A comforting and savory casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, a creamy bean and corn mixture, generously topped with crispy golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Base
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1.5 lbs Ground beef 80/20 or 90/10 lean
  • 1 medium Yellow onion chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp Chili powder
  • 1 tsp Ground cumin
  • 0.5 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp Salt
  • 0.25 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 can Diced tomatoes with green chilies 10 oz, undrained
  • 1 can Tomato sauce 8 oz
For the Creamy Filling
  • 1 can Condensed cream of mushroom soup 10.5 oz
  • 0.5 cup Milk whole or 2%
  • 1 can Whole kernel corn 15 oz, drained
  • 1 can Black beans 15 oz, rinsed and drained
For the Topping
  • 1 bag Frozen tater tots 32 oz
  • 2 cups Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Optional Fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • 9x13 inch baking dish

Method
 

Prepare the Base
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
  4. Add the undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies and tomato sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Assemble the Casserole
  1. Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
  2. Fold in the drained corn and rinsed black beans.
  3. Pour the beef and bean mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
  4. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the beef mixture.
Bake and Finish
  1. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are lightly golden and heated through.
  2. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
  3. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
  4. Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, if desired.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the other spices, or use "hot" diced tomatoes with green chilies. You can substitute cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom if preferred. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.