Description
This hearty Cowboy Casserole is a comforting dish packed with seasoned ground beef, vegetables, black beans, and melted cheeses, all topped with crispy golden tater tots. Perfect for family dinners, it combines savory flavors with a satisfying texture, baked to bubbly perfection in under an hour and a half.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream, brought to room temperature
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
Vegetables and Beans
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, deseeded and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel
Spices and Pantry Items
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
Topping
- 1 (2-pound) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Dish: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a large 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart into small pieces as it cooks. Once browned, transfer the beef to a plate using a slotted spoon and discard any grease from the skillet.
- Sauté Vegetables: Return the skillet to medium heat and melt the butter. Add chopped green onions and diced green bell pepper and cook until softened, about five minutes. Stir in minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, cooking for an additional minute while stirring continuously.
- Add Corn, Beans, and Rotel: Mix in the drained corn, black beans, and Rotel. Cook for about five minutes, stirring frequently and reducing heat if the mixture begins to stick or burn.
- Combine Dairy and Broth: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the sour cream, milk, and low-sodium chicken broth until everything is well combined and creamy.
- Incorporate Cooked Beef and Cheese: Stir in the cooked ground beef along with the mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheeses melt into the mixture.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Top with Tater Tots and Bake: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese. Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped green onions. Serve hot with optional sides like hot sauce or ketchup for added flavor.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The tater tots may soften over time, so reheating in the oven is preferred over microwaving to retain crispiness.
- Freezing this casserole is not recommended as the tater tots and creamy filling may separate and change texture upon thawing.
- This dish is great for preparing ahead and making family-friendly meals with balanced protein, vegetables, and carbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole (approximately 325g)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
