Description
This Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish featuring seasoned ground beef, beans, creamy mushroom soup, and a crispy layer of golden tater tots. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines classic Tex-Mex flavors like chili powder and cumin with cheesy goodness and crunchy potatoes for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (28-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
Optional Toppings
- Sliced green onions
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion for 5-7 minutes until the beef is browned and onions are softened. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add Seasonings and Garlic: Add the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the mixture is fragrant, allowing the spices to bloom.
- Combine Beans and Creamy Ingredients: Stir in the drained beans, condensed cream of mushroom soup, and sour cream until everything is well combined. Remove the skillet from heat to prevent overcooking.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread the beef and bean mixture evenly in the greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the beef mixture.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before garnishing with optional toppings such as sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, or chopped cilantro. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a spicier kick.
- For added vegetable content, consider mixing in diced bell peppers or corn with the beef mixture.
- Drain excess fat from ground beef fully if you prefer a less greasy casserole.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup to make the dish gluten-free.
