Hearty Cowboy Casserole: A Skillet Comfort Meal (Print Version)

Hearty Cowboy Casserole brings comforting flavors to your table. A simple, satisfying skillet meal with beef, beans, and cheesy goodness for busy nights.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Meat-based

# Ingredients:

→ Base & Fillings

01 - 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 recommended)
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
05 - 15 oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
06 - 15 oz can corn, drained
07 - 1/2 cup milk

→ Flavor Boosters

08 - 1 tbsp chili powder
09 - 1 tsp cumin
10 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Topping & Finishing Touches

11 - 32 oz bag frozen tater tots
12 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
13 - Fresh chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Alright, first things first! Grab your biggest oven-safe skillet – a cast iron one is my absolute favorite for this Hearty Cowboy Casserole. Heat it over medium-high heat, then toss in your ground beef. Break it up with a spoon, get it nice and browned. Once it's cooked through, drain off any excess fat (I usually just tilt the pan and scoop it out with a spoon, carefully!). Now, add your chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté them until the onion is soft and translucent, and that garlic, oh, it'll smell absolutely divine, probably making your stomach rumble already!
02 - Once those aromatics are fragrant, it’s time to build the flavor. Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained, please, we want that juice!), rinsed kidney beans, and drained corn. Add the chili powder, cumin, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Pour in the milk and give everything a good stir to combine. Let this mixture come to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it bubble away for about 5-7 minutes. This step is where all those incredible flavors really get to know each other – don't rush it, trust me!
03 - While your beef mixture is happily simmering, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is a crucial step for getting those tater tots perfectly crispy on top of your Hearty Cowboy Casserole. Once the beef mixture has simmered, taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed. This is your chance to make it just right – a little more salt? A dash more chili powder? Go with your gut! You want it flavorful and ready for its cheesy, potato crown.
04 - Now for the fun part! Carefully arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the beef mixture in your skillet. I like to make sure they're mostly touching, forming a nice, even blanket. Pop the skillet into your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You're looking for those tater tots to start turning golden brown and getting delightfully crispy. This is where the magic happens, giving our Hearty Cowboy Casserole that fantastic texture contrast!
05 - After 20-25 minutes, pull the skillet out of the oven. Now, sprinkle that glorious shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the crispy tater tots. I'm generous here, because who doesn't love more cheese? Return the skillet to the oven and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly. Oh, the smell at this point is just irresistible, all that cheesy goodness!
06 - Once the cheese is golden and bubbly, carefully remove the Hearty Cowboy Casserole from the oven. I know it's hard, but let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This little pause allows the casserole to set up a bit, making it easier to scoop and preventing it from being too runny. Plus, it gives it a moment to cool down so you don't burn your tongue in your eagerness! Garnish with some fresh chopped green onions if you're feeling fancy, and dig in!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overmix the beef mixture once the beans and corn are added; you want to keep those distinct textures.
02 - A common mistake I made was not draining the corn well enough; it makes the base too watery. So, drain, drain, drain!
03 - Letting the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking really helps it set and makes for cleaner servings.
04 - For an extra layer of flavor, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the beef mixture.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large oven-safe skillet (cast iron recommended)

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 650
Total Fat: 35g
Total Carbohydrate: 55g
Protein: 30g

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