It’s the layer of crispy potato on top that makes Cowboy Casserole famous.

Once you try it, you’ll know why.

No matter who youre serving or for what occasion, no one will leave your table unsatisfied.

Cowboy Casserole in a dish with a single serving on a plate

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

What Makes It A Cowboy Casserole?

There are quite a few different versions of Cowboy Casserole out there.

After the ground beef, you could remove and/or add any fillings youd like.

ingredients for Cowboy Casserole

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

We recommend defrosting it in the fridge before baking and serving.

Ingredients

2Tbsp.vegetable oil

1mediumyellow onion, chopped

2clovesgarlic, thinly sliced

1lb.ground beef

1(1-oz.)

pkg.taco seasoning

1(15-oz.)

Cowboy Casserole serving on a blue and white plate

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

canblack beans, drained

1(15-oz.)

canpinto beans, drained

1(14.5-oz.)

candiced fire-roasted tomatoes

1(4-oz.)

cooking onions in a skillet

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

candiced green chiles

1/4cupsour cream

3/4cupshredded Cheddar cheese, divided

1tsp.hot sauce

1cupfrozen corn kernels

1(32-oz.)

bagTater Tots

Directions

Cook beef:

Preheat oven to 350F.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high.

cooked ground beef with onions and taco seasoning

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Add onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 6 minutes.

Add garlic and cook for another minute.

Add beef and break apart with a spoon; cook until brown.

filling for cowboy casserole with ground beef, corn, beans, and tomatoes

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Add taco seasoning and stir to incorporate.

Stir in frozen corn.

Transfer mixture to a greased 9- x- 13-inch baking dish.

filling for Cowboy Casserole in a 9x13 baking dish

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Add potatoes and bake:

Line surface of casserole with a single layer of frozen Tater Tots.

Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove aluminum foil, sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese over Tater Tots.

frozen potatoes lined up on a cowboy casserole

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Return to oven for 20 more minutes.

Allow to cool slightly before serving.

cowboy casserole with cheese sprinkled on top of tater tots

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

baked cowboy casserole ready to be served

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall