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A freshly baked tater tot casserole in a white dish, showing a savory ground beef, corn, and melted cheese filling.

Hearty Cowboy Casserole with Crispy Tater Tots

This robust and comforting one-dish meal features seasoned ground beef, a rich tomato and bean base, and a crispy golden tater tot and cheese topping. It's a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal that's perfect for any night of the week.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef & Bean Base
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 lean
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for a kick
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, undrained
  • 1 can tomato sauce 8 oz
  • 0.5 cup beef broth
  • 1 can black beans 15 oz, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can whole kernel corn 15 oz, drained
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
For the Topping
  • 1 bag frozen tater tots 32 oz
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Cutting Board
  • Chef's Knife
  • Spatula

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.
Cook the Beef Base
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it's fully browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat from the skillet.
  2. Add the diced yellow onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the spices and enhance their flavor.
  4. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the rinsed and drained black beans and the drained whole kernel corn. Continue to simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Assemble & Bake
  1. Pour the hot beef and bean mixture evenly into the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the beef mixture. Sprinkle evenly with the shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
  3. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  4. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to set and prevent it from falling apart.

Notes

For an extra kick, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the spices. Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.