Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and cheesy recipe, which is made with a savory ground beef and bean filling and a crispy tater tot topping. It’s the ultimate comfort food, a crowd-pleasing one-dish meal perfect for a busy weeknight.
Pioneer Woman Cowboy Casserole Ingredients
A classic combination for a satisfying, family-friendly dinner.
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 8 ounces (2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 16 ounces (about 4 cups) frozen Tater Tots
How To Make Pioneer Woman Cowboy Casserole
A step-by-step guide to this incredibly easy and flavorful one-dish meal.
- Prep Oven and Cook Beef: Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Make the Filling: To the skillet with the cooked beef, add the black beans, corn, cream of chicken soup, ½ cup of the shredded cheese, the milk, sour cream, onion powder, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Spread half of the Tater Tots in a single layer in the bottom of the dish. Pour the beef and bean mixture evenly over the top.
- Add Topping and Bake: Arrange the remaining Tater Tots in a single layer on top of the beef mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese.
- Bake and Serve: Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the top is golden brown. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
For the most delicious and perfectly cooked cowboy casserole.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a fantastic make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it with foil, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be starting from cold.
- Do I need to thaw the tater tots? No, you can use the tater tots straight from frozen, which makes this recipe even quicker and easier to assemble.
- Can I use a different kind of soup? Of course. If you don’t have cream of chicken, you can use cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or even a can of condensed cheddar cheese soup for an extra cheesy version.
- Can I add other vegetables? Absolutely. This is a great casserole for adding extra veggies. Sautéed onions and bell peppers would be a delicious addition to the ground beef mixture.
What To Serve With Cowboy Casserole
Simple sides to complete this hearty one-dish dinner.
This hearty casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:
- A simple green salad with a ranch or vinaigrette dressing
- Steamed green beans or broccoli
- A dollop of sour cream or a side of salsa
- Cornbread or dinner rolls
How To Store Cowboy Casserole
Keeping your leftovers delicious.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: For the best texture, reheat individual portions in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through and the tater tots are crispy again. You can also use the microwave for a quicker, softer result.
Pioneer Woman Cowboy Casserole Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 602 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Fat: 29 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, this casserole freezes well. You can freeze it before baking (uncovered until firm, then wrapped tightly) or after. To bake from frozen, you may need to add 20-30 minutes to the cooking time. Thaw a baked casserole in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Can I use a different kind of meat?
Yes. Ground turkey or chicken would be a great, leaner substitute for the ground beef.
Can I make this spicy?
Of course! Use a hot taco seasoning, add a can of diced green chiles or jalapeños to the beef mixture, or use a pepper jack cheese blend for the topping to add a kick of heat.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Hash Brown Egg Casserole Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Biscuits and Gravy Casserole Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Pioneer Woman Cowboy Casserole Recipe
Description
The ultimate one-dish comfort food meal, this Cowboy Casserole features a creamy, savory filling of taco-seasoned ground beef, black beans, and corn, all topped with a crispy, cheesy layer of Tater Tots.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain the fat, then stir in the taco seasoning.
- Stir in the black beans, corn, cream of chicken soup, ½ cup of the cheddar cheese, the milk, and sour cream.
- Spread half of the Tater Tots in the bottom of the prepared dish.
- Pour the beef mixture over the Tater Tots.
- Top with the remaining Tater Tots in a single layer.
- Sprinkle with the remaining 1 ½ cups of cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThis is a perfect make-ahead casserole. Assemble it completely, refrigerate, and add a few extra minutes to the baking time.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThere’s no need to thaw the Tater Tots before using them in this recipe.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor a spicier kick, add a can of diced green chiles to the beef mixture.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eLeftovers are fantastic and reheat well in the oven to re-crisp the tater tot topping.u003c/liu003e
