How many people does Cowboy Casserole serve?

One 9×13-inch casserole yields exactly 6 servings.

What temperature does the casserole bake at?

Bake it at 375°F for 40–45 minutes, then allow 5 more minutes for finishing cheese.

Should the tater tots be thawed first?

No. Arrange the full 32-ounce portion frozen in one single layer.

How long should Cowboy Casserole rest?

Let it rest 5–10 minutes so the creamy filling sets before serving.

Easy Cowboy Casserole Recipe with Tater Tots | Clare Greco

Cowboy Casserole places a creamy beef, corn, cheddar, and bacon filling beneath a full layer of crisp tater tots. The contrast between the bubbling savory base and golden potato topping makes this a straightforward family-style dinner.

The recipe serves exactly 6 in 60 minutes, with 10 minutes of preparation and 50 minutes of cooking. The oven stays at 375°F for a 40–45 minute main bake followed by 5 minutes to melt the finishing cheese.

Cowboy Casserole Ingredients

Ground beef, corn, mushroom soup, divided cheddar, milk, sour cream, onion powder, pepper, bacon, and tater tots | Recipes by Clare

Gather ½ pound 85/15 ground beef, 1 cup corn kernels, ⅔ cup condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar divided, ⅓ cup whole milk, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ cup cooked crumbled bacon.

The potato topping uses exactly 32 ounces frozen tater tots. No chopped onion, garlic, or extra vegetable is specified.

If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup.

How to Make Cowboy Casserole

Four stages showing browned beef, creamy corn and bacon filling, a tater tot layer, and six portions of golden Cowboy Casserole | Recipes by Clare

Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Brown ½ pound ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart until no pink remains.
Add corn, mushroom soup, half the cheddar, milk, sour cream, onion powder, pepper, and bacon; mix well.
Spread filling evenly in the dish.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese over it and arrange tater tots in one layer.
Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes until the tots are golden and crisp.
Add any reserved finishing cheese and bake 5 minutes more until melted.
Rest 5–10 minutes and divide into 6 servings.

For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.

Heat the Oven to 375°F

Brown Half a Pound of Beef

Measure the Creamy Filling Carefully

Add Seasoning, Bacon, and Half the Cheese

Spread the Filling in the Baking Dish

Add Remaining Cheddar before the Tots

Arrange Thirty-Two Ounces in One Layer

Bake Uncovered Forty to Forty-Five Minutes

Melt Any Reserved Finishing Cheese

Finished Cowboy Casserole with crisp golden tater tots over creamy beef filling | recipesbyclare.com

Rest Five to Ten Minutes

Store and Reheat Safely

Conclusion

At 375°F, brown ½ pound ground beef. Stir in 1 cup corn, ⅔ cup mushroom soup, half of 1 cup cheddar, ⅓ cup milk, ¼ cup sour cream, onion powder, pepper, and ½ cup bacon. Spread in a 9×13 dish, add remaining cheese, and cover with 32 ounces frozen tots in one layer. Bake uncovered 40–45 minutes, add any finishing cheese for 5 minutes, rest 5–10 minutes, and serve 6.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How many people does Cowboy Casserole serve?: One 9×13-inch casserole yields exactly 6 servings.
→ What temperature does the casserole bake at?: Bake it at 375°F for 40–45 minutes, then allow 5 more minutes for finishing cheese.
→ Should the tater tots be thawed first?: No. Arrange the full 32-ounce portion frozen in one single layer.
→ How long should Cowboy Casserole rest?: Let it rest 5–10 minutes so the creamy filling sets before serving.

Cowboy Casserole