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Ultimate Cowboy Casserole: Beef, Corn, Cheese & Tots

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This Cowboy Casserole combines savory ground beef, sweet corn, gooey cheese, and crispy tater tots into one hearty dish. It’s the ultimate comfort food that guarantees smiles around the dinner table!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 lean)
  • 1 yellow or white onion, finely diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup corn (canned, frozen, or fresh)
  • 1 small can tomato sauce or a can of diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 1–2 pinches cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 large bag frozen tater tots

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook until completely browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and bell pepper (if using) to the skillet with the beef. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the corn, tomato sauce (or diced tomatoes), beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Pour the hot ground beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  6. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the beef mixture.
  7. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering the entire surface.
  8. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
  9. Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: For extra crispy tots, arrange them in a single layer and consider giving them a light spray of cooking oil before baking. You can also add diced jalapeño for heat or stir in cream cheese for a creamier filling.

Find it online: https://crumella.com/ultimate-cowboy-casserole-beef-corn-cheese-tots/