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–+ servings

Cowboy Casserole

BakedBeefCasseroleCheesyClassicDinnerGarlicHeartyHotOvenPotatoPotluckSavorySpicy
Time :55 minutes
Yield :8 serving
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The Scoop

This casserole came to wrangle up some serious comfort food!
Seasoned ground beef, sweet corn, creamy cheddar, and crispy tater tots come together in one bubbling, golden bake that’s hearty, budget-friendly, and ridiculously satisfying.
Basically, it’s a weeknight dinner with a cowboy-sized appetite!
Hack it:
Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or a beef-and-pork blend.
Add diced bell peppers, jalapeños, black beans, or sautéed mushrooms to the filling.
Give it extra smoky heat with chipotle powder, smoked paprika, or your favorite hot sauce.
For extra crunch, sprinkle crushed tortilla chips over the cheese during the final bake.
Leftovers:
Turn a scoop into a loaded breakfast hash and top with a fried egg.
Stuff the filling into flour tortillas with salsa and avocado for easy burritos.
Spoon leftovers over baked potatoes and add extra cheese.
Reheat portions in a skillet until the bottom gets crispy, then top with sour cream and scallions.
 

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 1/4 cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 (32-ounce) package frozen tater tots, frozen
  • chives, optional, to taste, chopped, for garnish

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
  • Add the chili powder, the cumin, the salt, the pepper, the garlic powder, and the ground beef to a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Stir, while crumbling the beef, and cook for 8-10 minutes.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a bowl. Set it aside.
  • Turn the heat off, and carefully drain, leaving a thin layer of drippings, about 1 tablespoon.
  • Set the heat back to medium-high.
  • Add the diced onions to the pan and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Place the beef back into the pan, along with the crushed tomatoes and their juices, the corn, and the beef broth. Bring to a simmer.
  • In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with the water.
  • Mix the slurry into the beef mixture.
  • Simmer the beef mixture until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Turn the heat off and mix in the sour cream and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
  • Add half of the tater tots to the greased casserole dish.
  • Pour the beef mixture over top and gently stir to combine.
  • Top the dish with the remaining tater tots and bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes.
  • Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and bake for another 10 minutes.
  • Allow to cool slightly before serving.
  • Garnish with the chives and serve.
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