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A close-up of the Cowboy Casserole filling, showing the seasoned ground beef, corn, and beans simmering in a rich tomato-based sauce before the topping is added.

Cowboy Casserole: The Ultimate Hearty & Easy Recipe

This Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate one-pan meal, layering savory ground beef, beans, and corn under a cheesy tater tot or cornbread topping. It's a guaranteed family-pleaser that's perfect for any weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs lean ground beef 85/15 or 90/10 recommended
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can corn drained
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
  • 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen tater tots OR 1 box of cornbread mix, prepared
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Oven-Safe Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Baking Dish (9x13-inch, if not using an oven-safe skillet)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a large oven-safe skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully browned. Drain any excess grease.
  3. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld.
  5. Gently fold in the rinsed pinto beans, drained corn, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. If not using an oven-safe skillet, transfer the mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  7. Arrange the frozen tater tots in an even layer over the beef filling. (Alternatively, pour prepared cornbread batter over the top).
  8. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the topping.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the beef filling up to 2 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, transfer it to your baking dish, add the topping, and bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Freezing Tip: Assemble the casserole without the topping in a freezer-safe dish. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then add the topping and bake as directed.