Easy Cowboy Casserole layers creamy beef, bacon, corn, mushroom soup, and cheddar beneath a crisp blanket of tater tots. The skillet filling comes together quickly, while the oven turns the frozen potato topping deeply golden.
The recipe serves 6 in 60 minutes, with 10 minutes of preparation and 50 minutes of cooking. Bake at 375°F for 40–45 minutes, add any reserved cheese, bake 5 minutes more, and rest for 5 minutes.
Cowboy Casserole Ingredients
The filling uses ½ pound 85/15 ground beef, ½ cup cooked crumbled bacon, 1 cup drained corn kernels, ⅔ cup condensed cream of mushroom soup, ⅓ cup whole milk, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
Measure 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar and divide it through the filling and topping stages. Finish with one 32 oz bag frozen tater tots arranged in a single layer.
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Slow Cooker Ground Beef French Dip Sandwiches.
How to Make Cowboy Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 dish.
- Brown ½ pound beef over medium heat and drain excess fat.
- Add bacon, corn, soup, ½ cup cheddar, milk, sour cream, onion powder, and pepper.
- Stir until creamy and spread evenly in the dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar over the base.
- Arrange the full 32 oz bag of frozen tots in one layer.
- Bake uncovered 40–45 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Add any cheese intentionally held back, bake 5 minutes, and rest 5 minutes.
For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.
Heat the Oven and Grease the Dish
Brown Half a Pound of Beef
Build the Creamy Filling
Spread an Even Base Layer
Add the Remaining Cheddar
Arrange a Single Tater Tot Layer
Bake for Forty to Forty-Five Minutes
Use the Final Five Minutes
Rest for Five Minutes
Prevent a Watery Filling
Make Ahead Carefully
Store and Reheat Leftovers
Conclusion
Heat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 dish. Brown ½ pound beef and drain. Stir in bacon, corn, mushroom soup, ½ cup cheddar, milk, sour cream, onion powder, and pepper. Spread in the dish, add the remaining ½ cup cheese, and cover with one single layer from the 32 oz bag of frozen tots. Bake uncovered 40–45 minutes. Add any intentionally reserved cheese, bake 5 minutes more, and rest 5 minutes before serving six.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What temperature should cowboy casserole bake at?
Bake it uncovered at 375°F.
- → How long is the main bake?
Bake for 40–45 minutes, then use a final 5 minutes if adding reserved cheese.
- → Should the tater tots be thawed?
No. Arrange the full bag frozen in a single layer.
- → How many servings does it make?
The casserole serves six.