Cowboy Casserole – A Hearty and Flavorful Comfort Food

Cowboy Casserole is the perfect dish for a busy weeknight dinner or casual gathering. This comforting casserole is loaded with ground beef, crispy tater tots, and creamy cheese, all bound together with a savory mixture of corn, sour cream, and cream of mushroom soup. It’s an easy-to-make, one-dish wonder that’s sure to satisfy everyone’s appetite. You can even customize it by adding different vegetables or seasonings to suit your taste, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients:

• ½ pound ground beef (85/15)
  
  

• 1 cup corn
  
  

• 2/3 cup condensed cream of mushroom soup
  
  

• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
  
  

• 1/3 cup whole milk
  
  

• ¼ cup sour cream
  
  

• 1 teaspoon onion powder
  
  

• ½ teaspoon black pepper
  
  

• ½ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
  
  

• 32 ounces tater tots
  
  

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Optionally, line a 9x13 baking dish with foil for easier cleanup.
   
   

2. Cook the Beef:
   In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
   
   

3. Prepare the Casserole Mixture:
   Add corn, cream of mushroom soup, ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, milk, sour cream, onion powder, black pepper, and crumbled bacon to the skillet with the beef. Stir everything together until well combined.
   
   

4. Assemble the Casserole:
   In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer the beef mixture, then top with the remaining tater tots. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top.
   
   

5. Bake the Casserole:
   Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
   
   

6. Serve:
   Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your hearty and comforting cowboy casserole!
   
   

Nutritional Value (per serving):

• Calories: 593
  
  

• Carbohydrates: 48g
  
  

• Protein: 20g
  
  

• Fat: 37g
  
  

• Saturated Fat: 12g
  
  

• Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g
  
  

• Monounsaturated Fat: 14g
  
  

• Trans Fat: 0.4g
  
  

• Cholesterol: 66mg
  
  

• Sodium: 1168mg
  
  

• Potassium: 687mg
  
  

• Fiber: 4g
  
  

• Sugar: 3g
  
  

• Vitamin A: 352 IU
  
  

• Vitamin C: 12mg
  
  

• Calcium: 191mg
  
  

• Iron: 2mg