Description
This hearty Cowboy Casserole combines crispy bacon, seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, black beans, corn, and a crunchy tater tot topping, baked to perfection for a comforting, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Vegetables and Beans
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (12-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
Dairy and Condiments
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Other
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- Chopped scallions, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Bacon: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until they are crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan for added flavor.
- Brown Beef and Season: Add the ground beef and chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are soft. Drain any excess fat from the pan. Stir in the minced garlic and the packet of taco seasoning, mixing well to combine the flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, drained black beans, corn, diced green chilies, half of the cooked bacon, and ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix everything thoroughly to create a flavorful filling.
- Assemble and Bake: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Transfer the beef and bean mixture into the dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese and bacon pieces on top. Finally, cover with the frozen tater tots, spreading them out evenly on the top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. For extra crispiness, you can broil the casserole for a few minutes at the end of baking.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven. Garnish with chopped scallions if desired, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the casserole hot and enjoy this comforting, flavorful dish.
Notes
- You can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or cream of celery for a different flavor.
- Use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese if you want to lower the fat content.
- Adding diced jalapeños can increase the spiciness if you prefer a hotter dish.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the taco seasoning and soup are certified gluten-free.
- The casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if chilled.
