Cowboy Casserole Tater Tots

Featured in: Hearty and Delicious Meals

Enjoy a classic family favorite featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy sauce, and layers of sharp cheddar cheese. Topped with crispy tater tots and smoky bacon, every bite is a comforting blend of rich flavors and satisfying textures. This baked dish is an easy way to bring hearty ingredients together in under an hour—just assemble, bake, and serve warm for a crowd-pleasing meal. Perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.

sana kitchen chef
By Sana Sana
Updated on Tue, 03 Jun 2025 20:32:32 GMT
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Cowboy Casserole | recipebyme.com

Cowboy casserole is the ultimate comfort food—layers of seasoned beef, creamy sauce, sweet corn, gooey cheese, crispy bacon, and golden tater tots make it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for busy weeknights or cozy potlucks. My family gets extra excited when they see this bubbling out of the oven on a chilly evening. Nothing brings everyone to the table faster.

The first time I made this cowboy casserole, I was surprised how even my pickiest eater went back for seconds. Now, whenever we want a quick one-dish meal that feels special, this is our go-to.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef 85 15 lean: This cut adds savory flavor and just enough richness without being greasy. Look for bright red meat with little to no odor
  • Corn kernels: Bring sweetness and bursts of texture. You can use fresh, frozen, or canned, but frozen keeps a better bite
  • Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Lends creamy body to pull everything together. Choose a brand with minimal additives
  • Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded: Gives bold flavor and melty goodness. Freshly grated cheese always melts better
  • Whole milk: Balances out the sauce and keeps it creamy. Whole is best for richness, but 2 percent works in a pinch
  • Sour cream: Adds tang and helps the sauce stay luscious. Go for full fat for best flavor
  • Onion powder: Deepens the overall flavor profile without chopping onions
  • Black pepper: Adds subtle heat and rounds out the savory notes. Freshly ground is best
  • Cooked bacon, crumbled: Brings a smoky crunch and depth. Use real bacon for the biggest flavor punch
  • Frozen tater tots: Crunchy on top and pillowy inside. Arrange them straight from the freezer for best crispness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Oven and Baking Dish:
Preheat your oven to three hundred seventy five degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a nine by thirteen inch baking dish so nothing sticks during baking
Brown the Beef:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up into small crumbles. Let it cook for about six to eight minutes until fully browned and no pink remains. This is where you build your flavor base. Be patient and let the meat get golden for extra depth
Combine the Sauce and Mix-Ins:
Add the corn, cream of mushroom soup, half the shredded cheddar, whole milk, sour cream, onion powder, black pepper, and crumbled bacon to the skillet with the cooked beef. Stir everything thoroughly to form a cohesive thick filling. Every ingredient should be evenly coated so nobody gets a bland bite
Assemble the Casserole:
Transfer the beef mixture into your prepared baking dish and smooth it out. Top it with the remaining shredded cheese so it melts into a bubbly blanket. Next, carefully arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top. Make sure they are packed in snugly for the best crunch
Bake Until Crispy and Golden:
Bake the casserole uncovered in your preheated oven for forty to forty five minutes. The tater tots should be deeply golden and crisp on top and the sauce bubbling underneath. This time in the oven lets all the flavors marry
Finish with Cheese:
Sprinkle extra cheddar cheese over the hot tater tots right when you take it out of the oven. Slide it back in for about five minutes until the cheese melts into gooey perfection. Serve hot for maximum coziness
A pan of food with cheese and bacon.
A pan of food with cheese and bacon. | recipebyme.com

I have always loved how just the scent of bacon sizzling away can bring my family into the kitchen even before dinner is ready. Bacon is my secret weapon in this recipe and nothing says comfort food quite like it.

Storage Tips

Let the casserole cool completely before covering and storing in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to three days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a three hundred fifty degree oven until heated through. If you want to freeze leftovers, portion into airtight containers for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating, then crisp up the tater tots under the broiler if needed.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap ground turkey or rotisserie chicken for beef. Try Colby jack or pepper jack in place of sharp cheddar. For a lighter version, use reduced fat sour cream and milk, but remember full fat keeps the casserole extra creamy. Cream of chicken soup works in place of mushroom for a different flavor profile. Add diced green chiles or bell pepper for a southwest kick.

Serving Suggestions

A crisp green salad makes the perfect fresh side to balance out the richness. Try also serving with pickles or a quick vinegar slaw for some tangy contrast. For extra fun, I sometimes top with chopped scallions, diced tomatoes, or a dollop of extra sour cream when dishing up.

Cowboy Casserole in American Cooking

Casseroles like this reflect classic American comfort cooking. Evolving from pantry friendly traditions, it brings together affordable ingredients into a one dish meal perfect for feeding families during busy weeks or at communal events. The tater tot topping became popular in the Midwest to add both crunch and a bit of nostalgia.

A plate of food with cheese and bacon.
A plate of food with cheese and bacon. | recipebyme.com

Warm, hearty, and bursting with layers of flavor, this cowboy casserole never fails to bring people together at the table.

Recipe FAQs

→ How can I make this dish ahead of time?

Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to one day before baking. Bake as directed when ready to serve.

→ What cheese pairs well in this dish?

Sharp cheddar brings bold flavor, but you can use Monterey Jack, Colby, or a spicy pepper jack for variation.

→ Can I use a different protein instead of beef?

Yes. Substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef to suit your preference or dietary needs.

→ How do I get extra crispy tater tots on top?

Arrange tater tots in a single layer and bake uncovered. For more crispiness, broil for 2-3 minutes after baking.

→ Are there vegetable add-ins that work well?

Diced bell peppers, peas, or green beans blend nicely with the beef mixture for added nutrition and variety.

Cowboy Casserole Tater Tots

Cheddar, tater tots, and bacon combine for a comforting baked dish packed with savory flavor.

Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
50 min
Total Time
65 min
By Sana: Sana

Category: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 large baking dish)

Dietary Categories: ~

Ingredients

→ Meat & Dairy

01 225 grams ground beef (85/15 lean)
02 120 grams sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
03 80 millilitres whole milk
04 60 millilitres sour cream
05 120 grams cooked bacon, crumbled

→ Vegetables & Frozen

06 160 grams corn kernels
07 900 grams frozen tater tots

→ Condiments & Seasoning

08 160 grams condensed cream of mushroom soup
09 1 teaspoon onion powder
10 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Steps

Step 01

Preheat oven to 190°C and lightly grease a 23x33 centimetre baking dish.

Step 02

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, breaking up with a spatula, until evenly browned and no pink remains.

Step 03

Add corn kernels, condensed cream of mushroom soup, half the shredded cheddar cheese, milk, sour cream, onion powder, black pepper, and crumbled bacon to the skillet. Stir thoroughly until homogeneous.

Step 04

Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single, even layer across the surface.

Step 05

Transfer dish to the oven and bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and crisp.

Step 06

Remove from oven. Sprinkle remaining cheese over hot tater tots and return dish to oven for an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

Notes

  1. Let rest for five minutes before serving to allow filling to set and flavours to meld.

Required Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • 23x33 centimetre baking dish
  • Oven
  • Spatula

Allergen Information

Check each ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
  • Contains dairy, gluten, and possible soy components.

Nutritional Info (per serving)

This data is provided as a guide and doesn't replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 480
  • Fats: 30 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 18 g