Cowboy Casserole Recipe
Cowboy Casserole Recipe (Tater Tot Casserole) is savory layers crisped to perfection, starting with bacon and ending with a cheesy tater tot crust.
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 4 strips bacon chopped
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground pork or beef
- 10 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach roughly chopped
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 32 ounce bag of frozen tater tots
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 green onions (sliced) for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove the tater tots from the freezer to slightly thaw, while you prepare the filling
- Place bacon in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Cook until crispy and golden brown, 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove and place on a paper towel. Chop when cooled.
- Leave 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in skillet and add chopped Onion. Cook until slightly clear, about 4 minutes. Add Garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add in ground pork sausage or ground beef and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until it browns and is cooked through (about 10 minutes). Drain off the excess fat, leaving in as much as you prefer for flavor and consistency. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Stir in the soup, milk, butter, salt, and pepper, and blend with a wooden spoon until smooth.
- Fold in spinach, then corn, and stir.
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly across the top of the casserole.
- Place the frozen tater tots on the top of the casserole in a single layer, arranging them in concentric circles, starting from the outside of the pan and working toward the middle.
- Sprinkle the tater tots layer with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake until tater tots are golden brown and filling is cooked and bubbly, approx. 30-35 minutes.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle the chopped Bacon over the top. Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired, and serve.
Notes
Make Ahead: Place filling and layers in aluminum pan or freezer safe dish. After the casserole is completely assembled as directed, cover the casserole dinner with plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. Then, place the pan in the freezer for up to two months. When ready to serve, remove the casserole from the freezer and allow it to thaw completely. Then bake as directed.
Storage: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Cool the dish to room temperature, wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil, and keep it in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. Allow the casserole to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
TIPS:
- I use a cast-iron skillet (or oven-safe skillet) to cook this in one dish. However, you can certainly transfer the filling to a casserole dish to bake if desired.
- Allow the tots to thaw a little while you are making the meat filling for the best crispy results.
- Take the time to arrange the tots, so they all get evenly browned.
- Rest the casserole after baking for 5 to 10 minutes so the filling sets.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 1363mg | Potassium: 753mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1513IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 299mg | Iron: 3mg
Find it online:
www.soulfullymade.com/cowboy-casserole-recipe/