If you’re searching for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that fills the kitchen with irresistible aromas and satisfies every craving, the Cowboy Casserole with Bacon, Tater Tots, and Cheddar Recipe is your new best friend. This dish brings together savory ground beef, crispy bacon, creamy cheddar cheese, and those golden tater tots on top, creating a baked casserole that’s bursting with flavor and texture in every bite. It’s like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for family dinners, casual get-togethers, or any time you want comfort food done right.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple yet essential ingredients is key to making this cowboy casserole sing. Each one plays an important role in building layers of flavor, giving the dish its rich, creamy, and crispy character you’ll love.
- Bacon (6 slices, cut into small pieces): Brings smoky crispiness that adds incredible depth to the casserole.
- Lean ground beef (1 pound): The hearty protein base that absorbs every bit of seasoning perfectly.
- Onion (½ medium, chopped): Adds a subtle sweetness that balances richness.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Boosts savory aromatics and flavor complexity.
- Taco seasoning packet (1 ounce): Delivers a spicy, zesty kick reminiscent of classic Tex-Mex dishes.
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup (10.75 ounces): Adds creaminess and a umami boost that ties everything together.
- Sour cream (½ cup): Makes the filling luxuriously smooth and tangy.
- Black beans (14-ounce can, drained and rinsed): Adds texture and a protein-packed element.
- Corn (12-ounce can, drained): Brings bursts of natural sweetness and color.
- Diced green chilies (4-ounce can): Gives a mild heat and vibrant flavor boost.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (2 cups, divided): The cheesy star that melts perfectly and browns golden on top.
- Frozen tater tots (32 ounces): Creates a crispy, fun topping that elevates this casserole to next-level comfort food.
- Salt and pepper: To taste, for final seasoning and balance.
- Chopped scallions (optional): For a fresh, crunchy garnish that brightens each bite.
How to Make Cowboy Casserole with Bacon, Tater Tots, and Cheddar Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Cook Bacon
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, cook the bacon pieces in a skillet over medium heat until they’re deliciously crispy. This step is crucial because that rendered bacon fat will add incredible flavor to the beef mixture later. Once cooked, scoop the bacon out and set it aside, leaving the flavorful fat in the pan.
Step 2: Brown Beef and Season
Next, add your ground beef and chopped onion to the same skillet with the bacon fat. Cook them together until the beef is browned evenly and the onion softens. Make sure you drain off any excess fat to keep the casserole from getting greasy. Then stir in the fresh garlic and taco seasoning; the garlic elevates the umami and the seasoning brings a lively, southwestern touch that’s key to this casserole’s character.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
Once your beef mixture is seasoned and fragrant, 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 crispy bacon, and half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mixing these in while the skillet is still warm lets all those flavors meld beautifully together, balancing creamy, smoky, and spicy notes in every mouthful.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Transfer this hearty filling to a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon over the top, then carefully layer the frozen tater tots in a single layer to cover everything. Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes. The tater tots will turn golden brown while the cheese melts into a bubbly, irresistible topping. If you want extra crispness, broil the casserole for a few minutes at the end — just keep a close eye on it so nothing burns!
Step 5: Serve with Flair
Once out of the oven, garnish with freshly chopped scallions if you like a touch of freshness and extra crunch. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to make sure every flavor shines. Serve this cowboy casserole hot, and watch it disappear as everyone digs into the combination of textures and bold flavors that only this dish can deliver.
How to Serve Cowboy Casserole with Bacon, Tater Tots, and Cheddar Recipe
Garnishes
Top your Cowboy Casserole with Bacon, Tater Tots, and Cheddar Recipe with chopped scallions, sour cream dollops, or even sliced jalapeños if you like it spicy. These garnishes add a pop of color and a little extra zing that lightens the richness of the casserole and gives a nice contrast that is wonderful on the palate.
Side Dishes
Pairing this casserole with a fresh green salad tossed lightly with lemon or a crisp cucumber salad balances the boldness of the casserole perfectly. You could also serve with steamed veggies or a simple coleslaw that offers cool crunch to contrast the hot, cheesy main.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive twist, serve portions of the casserole in individual ramekins topped with scallions and extra cheese. You can also layer in sliced avocado or top with salsa for a Tex-Mex flair that enhances the cowboy vibe. This recipe easily adapts for any fun presentation style you want to try!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This casserole keeps beautifully for up to 3 days while maintaining its creamy texture and crispy tater tot topping, which slightly softens but remains delicious.
Freezing
The Cowboy Casserole with Bacon, Tater Tots, and Cheddar Recipe freezes well, too. Cool the casserole completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat your casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 20-25 minutes. For that crispy top, you can broil it for a minute or two at the end again. Avoid microwaving to keep the tater tots from getting soggy.
FAQs
Can I use turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken can be great lean alternatives and will still soak up all those bold flavors wonderfully.
Is there a vegetarian version of this casserole?
Yes! Swap out the ground beef and bacon for plant-based meat crumbles and vegetarian bacon bits. Double up on the beans and veggies to keep it hearty.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time and bake later?
Definitely. Assemble the casserole in your dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake as directed when ready; you might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup?
You can substitute cream of chicken or celery soup, or even make a simple homemade white sauce to keep that creamy texture.
How spicy is this casserole?
The taco seasoning and green chilies bring a mild to medium level of spice, perfect for most palates. Adjust seasoning or add extra diced jalapeños if you want it hotter!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Cowboy Casserole with Bacon, Tater Tots, and Cheddar Recipe that makes it a go-to for feeding a crowd or enjoying a cozy night in. The perfect blend of savory, creamy, and crispy textures along with easy prep makes this casserole a winner every time. I can’t wait for you to try it — your family and friends are going to ask for seconds and then the recipe!
Print
Cowboy Casserole with Bacon, Tater Tots, and Cheddar Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty Cowboy Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal packed with ground beef, crispy bacon, beans, corn, and melty cheddar cheese, all topped with golden tater tots. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines savory taco seasoning with creamy mushroom soup and sour cream for rich flavor and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Meat & Protein
- 6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Vegetables & Legumes
- 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
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Canned & Packaged
- 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
Seasonings & Garnishes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 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 become crispy. Once done, remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the pan to add flavor for the next steps.
- Brown Beef and Season: Add the ground beef and chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened. Drain off any excess fat. Then stir in the minced garlic and the taco seasoning packet, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, drained black beans, corn, diced green chilies, half of the cooked bacon, and half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix everything thoroughly to combine the flavors well.
- Assemble and Bake: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Transfer the beef mixture evenly into the dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and bacon pieces over the top, then layer the frozen tater tots evenly on top of everything. Place the casserole uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the tater tots turn golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Optionally, you can broil the casserole for a few minutes at the end to get the tater tots extra crispy.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven. Garnish with chopped scallions if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy this delicious, comforting dish.
Notes
- You can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup if preferred.
- For added spice, consider adding diced jalapeños along with the green chilies.
- The casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated; just bake when ready.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- To make this recipe lower in fat, use turkey bacon and lean ground turkey instead of beef and regular bacon.
