Description
This Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and comforting American classic that combines flavorful ground beef, mixed vegetables, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy tater tots topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this easy-to-make casserole offers a delicious blend of savory, creamy, and cheesy textures all baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
Soup Mixture
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole perfectly.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onions are softened. Drain any excess fat to avoid greasiness.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the frozen mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and paprika to the beef mixture. Stir well to combine all flavors evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese-covered beef mixture. This will create a crispy, golden topping once baked.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Final Cheese Layer: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top. Return to the oven and bake an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes, then serve warm for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or cream of celery soup for a different flavor profile.
- Adding cooked bacon or green chilies enhances the casserole with extra smoky or spicy notes.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
