Description
This hearty Cowboy Casserole combines lean ground beef, vibrant vegetables, creamy cheeses, and crispy tater tots for a comforting, all-in-one meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Loaded with smoky paprika, fresh veggies, and melted cheeses, this casserole bakes to golden perfection, offering layers of delicious flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 tablespoon salted butter
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, deseeded and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream, brought to room temperature
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1½ cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- 1½ cup cheddar cheese, freshly shredded (divided)
- 1 (2-pound) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a large 9×13-inch casserole dish by spraying it thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces with a spatula. Once fully cooked, transfer the beef to a plate using a slotted spoon and discard any excess grease from the skillet.
- Sauté Vegetables: Return the skillet to medium heat and melt the butter. Add the chopped green onions and diced green bell pepper, cooking for about five minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, cooking for an additional minute while stirring continuously to release the spices’ aroma.
- Add Vegetables and Beans: Stir in the drained sweet corn, black beans, and Rotel tomatoes with their juices. Cook everything together for about five minutes, stirring often to combine flavors and prevent sticking; reduce heat if needed.
- Mix Creamy Ingredients: Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the full-fat sour cream, whole milk, and low-sodium chicken broth, creating a creamy base for the casserole filling.
- Combine Meat and Cheese: Add the cooked ground beef back into the skillet along with the shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Stir everything until the cheeses melt and the mixture becomes rich and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the creamy meat and vegetable mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer covering the entire surface of the casserole to create a crispy, golden topping.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Garnish the finished casserole with freshly chopped green onions and serve with hot sauce or ketchup on the side if desired.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For best texture, reheat leftovers in the oven rather than the microwave as the tater tots will soften over time.
- Freezing this casserole is not recommended as the tater tots will lose their texture upon thawing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
