Can I make the Cheddar Bacon Cowboy Casserole Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the casserole a day in advance and refrigerate it. Just wait to add the tater tots until right before baking to keep them extra crispy.

What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup?

If you prefer, you can use cream of chicken or cream of celery soup, or make a simple homemade roux-based sauce with milk and flour for a fresher taste.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of tater tots?

You can, but tater tots are ideal because they crisp up easily and give the casserole its signature texture. If using fresh potatoes, parboil diced potatoes first, then roast them separately before adding to the casserole.

How spicy is this casserole?

This Cheddar Bacon Cowboy Casserole Recipe is mild by default. If you want to add some heat, try adding diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.

Cheddar Bacon Casserole | Ultimate Comfort Food for Busy Nights

Description

Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish featuring seasoned ground beef mixed with creamy mushroom soup, corn, bacon, and cheddar cheese, all topped with crispy tater tots. Perfect for family dinners, this casserole combines savory flavors with a satisfying crunchy topping.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 10.75 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups frozen corn
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
28 ounces frozen tater tots

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
Mix Creamy Base: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Season Mixture: Add onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the creamy base and stir until well combined.
Combine Ingredients: Using a wooden spoon, fold in the cooked ground beef, frozen corn, ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped bacon. Mix thoroughly to combine.
Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Then, layer ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture, followed by an even layer of tater tots on top.
Bake Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
Add Remaining Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese on top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Serve: Optionally, top the casserole with an extra sprinkle of chopped bacon before serving hot.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add diced onions or bell peppers when cooking the ground beef.
Use any cheddar cheese variety you prefer—sharp cheddar adds a more intense flavor.
To make it lower in fat, substitute ground turkey for ground beef and use low-fat sour cream.
Make sure to drain the cooked beef well to avoid a greasy casserole.
This dish keeps well and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat thoroughly before serving.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 390 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 680 mg
Fat: 24 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 21 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg