Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, onion, corn, creamy mushroom soup, sour cream, Colby Jack, and a crisp tater tot topping in one oven-safe skillet. The filling is assembled on the stovetop, then the frozen potatoes bake directly over it.
The recipe serves 6 in about 40 minutes, with 10 minutes of preparation and 30 minutes of cooking. A 400°F oven crisps the topping in 25 to 30 minutes, followed by a 5-minute rest.
Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole Ingredients
Gather 1 pound ground beef, 1 medium diced onion, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, one drained 10-ounce can corn, one 10-ounce can cream of mushroom soup, ¼ cup sour cream, 1½ cups shredded Colby Jack, and one 30-ounce bag frozen tater tots or crispy crowns.
Season with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce.
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Hot Cheetos Mac and Cheese.
How to Make Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brown ground beef and diced onion in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high, adding salt, pepper, paprika, parsley, and onion powder.
- When the beef is cooked and onion tender, drain excess grease.
- Stir in garlic, Worcestershire sauce, drained corn, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and most of the Colby Jack. Reserve some cheese for the top.
- Arrange frozen tater tots or crispy crowns evenly over the filling and add the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden, crisp, and bubbling. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.
Brown Beef and Onion With the Seasonings
Drain the Cooked Beef Carefully
Build the Creamy Corn Filling
Fold In Most of the Colby Jack
Arrange the Frozen Tater Tots Evenly
Bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 Minutes
Rest Five Minutes and Serve Six
Storage and Reheating
Keep the Topping Crisp, Not Soggy
Conclusion
Brown beef and onion with measured seasonings at medium-high, then drain. Stir in garlic, Worcestershire, drained corn, mushroom soup, sour cream, and most of the Colby Jack. Arrange frozen tater tots over the filling, add remaining cheese, and bake uncovered at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Rest 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Should I thaw the tater tots first?
No. Arrange the full 30-ounce bag over the filling while frozen.
- → What oven temperature should I use?
Bake the casserole uncovered at 400°F.
- → How long should the casserole rest?
Let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.
- → How many servings does this make?
It makes 6 generous servings in about 40 minutes.