Cowboy Casserole

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever crave a dish that's both hearty and comforting? The Cowboy Casserole is exactly that! It's the kind of meal that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, like a big ol' hug.

Brief Overview

Originating as a creative way to use pantry staples, this Ground Beef Casserole Recipes is pure American comfort. It's an easy, one-dish meal.

This Hearty Family Casserole Recipe feeds 6-8 people and takes about an hour to make.

Main Benefits

Honestly, the biggest win is how much everyone loves it. Plus, it’s packed with protein. The Cowboy Tatertot Casserole is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!

What Makes Cowboy Casserole so Special

Think of a delicious, creamy, cheesy Shepards Pie Tater Tot Casserole ! Seriously, this ain't your grandma's casserole. This recipe is special because it takes simple ingredients and turns them into something truly spectacular.

Calling All Ingredients for Cowboy Casserole Recipe

Let’s wrangle up everything we need. For the ground beef layer, you'll need olive oil, a pound of ground beef, onion, green bell pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, diced tomatoes, and corn.

Don't forget salt and pepper!

Next, for the creamy potato topping, you'll need about 2 pounds of russet potatoes, milk, butter, salt, pepper, and cheddar cheese.

Easy Casserole Recipes with Ground Beef : Equipment

You'll need a large skillet or Dutch oven, a large pot for the potatoes, a potato masher (or mixer!), and a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Let's Talk Cowboy Casserole Recipe Tater Tots Instructions

First, brown the ground beef with the onion and bell pepper in a skillet. Drain any grease! Stir in your spices, tomatoes, and corn. Let that simmer for a bit.

While that's happening, boil your potatoes until they are tender. Mash them with milk, butter, cheese, salt, and pepper.

Spread the ground beef mixture in your baking dish, top with mashed potatoes. Sprinkle more cheese on top!

Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 25- 30 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Ground Beef Casserole Recipes : Nutritional values

Each serving has approximately 420 calories, 25g of protein, 25g of fat, 30g of carbs, and 4g of fiber. Keep in mind, these are just estimates!

Cowboy Tatertot Casserole : Tips & Tricks

Don't overcook the beef! And make sure to drain off all the grease. Warm milk will make your mashed potatoes extra creamy.

And never skimp on the cheese! Letting it rest after baking makes it easier to serve.

Quick Dinner Ideas with Potatoes and Ground Beef : Variations

Want it spicy? Add some cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeño. Vegetarian? Use lentils or a meat substitute. Swap russet potatoes for sweet potatoes.

Green beans or chopped carrots can be used, or even ground turkey.

Comfort Food Casserole Recipes : Serving Suggestions

Serve with a simple green salad or warm cornbread. A glass of iced tea or lemonade is the perfect drink.

Alright folks, let’s wrangle up some ingredients for the best Cowboy Casserole you've ever tasted! Trust me, this ain’t your average Shepards Pie Tater Tot Casserole .

It’s a flavor explosion that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients & Equipment

Main Ingredients

• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . Just use decent stuff; it matters!
• Ground beef: 1 pound (450g) . Look for bright red color, not grey or brown.
• Yellow onion: 1 medium , chopped (about 1 cup/150g ).
• Green bell pepper: 1 , chopped (about 1 cup/150g ).
• Chili powder: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) . Freshly opened for the best kick!
• Garlic powder: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) . Granulated is fine!
• Cumin: 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) . Don’t skip this; it's key to the flavor.
• Diced tomatoes: 1 can (15 ounce/425g) , undrained.
• Corn: 1 can (15 ounce/425g) , drained.
• Russet potatoes: 4 large , peeled and quartered (about 2 pounds/900g ).
• Milk: 1/2 cup (120 ml) . Whole milk makes it extra creamy.
• Butter: 1/4 cup (57g) , unsalted. Real butter is always better.
• Cheddar cheese: 1 cup (115g) , shredded, divided. Sharp cheddar is my go-to!
• Salt and black pepper: To taste.

Honestly? I once used sweet potatoes for the topping by accident. It was still delicious! This recipe is forgiving. It’s truly one of my favourite Easy Casserole Recipes with Ground Beef .

Seasoning Notes

This ain’t bland food, y'all! We need some oomph. Chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin are a must. They create that signature Southwestern taste.

You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat or some smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.

If you’re out of chili powder, try a blend of paprika, oregano, and cumin. Experiment!

Equipment Needed

Okay, let's keep it simple.

• Large skillet or Dutch oven: For browning the beef.
• Large pot: For boiling the potatoes.
• Potato masher or electric mixer: For those fluffy potatoes!
• 9x13 inch baking dish: To bake the Cowboy Casserole Recipe Tater Tots .

Don’t have a potato masher? A fork works in a pinch. No Dutch oven? Any large pot will do. We're not aiming for perfection, just deliciousness with this Hearty Family Casserole Recipe .

This recipe offers great Dinner With Ground Beef .

The Ultimate Cowboy Casserole : A Taste of the Wild West!

Alright, y'all, gather 'round! Ever get that hankerin' for some comfort food casserole recipes that'll warm you right down to your toes? Well, I've got just the ticket: my Cowboy Casserole Recipe Tater Tots extravaganza! Seriously, this ain't no ordinary ground beef casserole recipes .

It’s like a hug in a dish, perfect for those nights when you need somethin' hearty and easy.

This Cowboy Casserole is pure, unadulterated bliss. Layers of seasoned dinner with ground beef , creamy mashed potatoes, and of course, tons of cheddar cheese.

We're talking about a crowd pleaser that even the pickiest eaters will gobble up. Honestly, even my fussy nephew devours this stuff!

Prep Steps: Roundin' Up Your Supplies

Before we start, let's get our mise en place on, which is just fancy talk for "get everything ready." Chop your onion and bell pepper.

Peel and quarter those potatoes. Prepping like a pro saves time and keeps ya sane.

Safety first, amigos! Keep those knives sharp and watch your fingers. Trust me, a band aid ain't a good garnish.

step-by-step: Rustlin' Up the Good Stuff

Okay, here's the lowdown on how to make this easy casserole recipes with ground beef :

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Brown 1 pound of ground beef with 1 chopped medium yellow onion and 1 chopped green bell pepper .
2. Stir in 1 teaspoon chili powder , 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder , 1/4 teaspoon cumin , 1 can (15 ounces) of diced tomatoes (undrained), and 1 can (15 ounces) of drained corn. Simmer for 5 minutes .
3. While that simmers, boil 4 large russet potatoes until tender (about 15- 20 minutes ).
4. Mash those taters with 1/2 cup milk , 1/4 cup butter , salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Creamy perfection!
5. Spread the ground beef mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with the mashed potato mixture.
6. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese on top. Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 25- 30 minutes , until golden and bubbly.

Pro Tips: Giddy Up to Flavor Town

Want to take your Shepards Pie Tater Tot Casserole to the next level? Here's some insider info:

• Don't overcook the beef . It'll get tough, and nobody wants tough beef.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
• make-ahead? Absolutely! Assemble the casserole and keep it in the fridge a day before baking, or freeze it for up to 3 months . Just adjust baking time accordingly.

This hearty family casserole recipe is a guaranteed winner, so get cookin', partner! I swear, it’s way more satisfying than a bag of Tater Tots on their own.

It's the perfect quick dinner ideas with potatoes and ground beef ! Enjoy!

Recipe Notes for Your Cowboy Casserole Adventure

Okay, so you're ready to wrangle up some Cowboy Casserole Recipe Tater Tots ? Awesome! Before you dive in, let's chat about a few tips and tricks.

Trust me, these little nuggets of wisdom will take your Cowboy Tatertot Casserole from "meh" to "WOW!" Honestly, I've made this Shepards Pie Tater Tot Casserole enough times to know what works and what doesn't.

Serving Suggestions: Giddy Up and Plate It!

Think about presentation, y'all! This Hearty Family Casserole Recipe deserves to look as good as it tastes. When it comes to plating, I love topping each serving with a dollop of sour cream.

A sprinkle of fresh chopped chives adds a pop of color.

For sides, a simple green salad cuts through the richness perfectly. Maybe some cornbread too? It's the perfect partner for the Comfort Food Casserole Recipes like this one.

And don't forget a refreshing drink. A tall glass of iced tea or lemonade keeps things cool and balanced.

Storage Tips: Keeping the Grub Fresh

Got leftovers? No worries! This Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole keeps well. Just let it cool completely before wrapping it tightly.

Then, pop it in the fridge. It'll stay good for about 3-4 days.

Wanna freeze it? Go for it! Just make sure to wrap it really well. A double layer of plastic wrap and foil works wonders.

It can hang out in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge.

Then, bake it in a preheated oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until heated through.

Variations: Saddle Up Your Own Way!

This Easy Casserole Recipes with Ground Beef is super flexible. Want a Dinner With Ground Beef but need dietary changes? Sub the ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner version.

For a veggie option, try using lentils!

Seasonal swaps are fun too. Add some roasted butternut squash to the mashed potato topping in the fall. In the summer, some grilled corn kernels into the beef mixture adds a sweet burst of flavor.

Nutrition Basics: Fueling Your Inner Cowboy

Let's keep it real: this Cowboy Casserole is comfort food. But it also packs a nutritional punch. You're getting protein from the ground beef, carbs from the potatoes, and vitamins from the veggies.

Of course, we also get a Quick Dinner Ideas with Potatoes and Ground Beef recipe.

Each serving has approximately 420 calories, 25g of protein, 25g of fat, and 30g of carbohydrates. (Remember, these numbers are approximate) So, it's a complete meal that will keep you feeling full and satisfied.

This Cowboy Casserole is more than just a recipe; it's an experience. Don't be afraid to have fun with it.

And remember, even if it's not perfect the first time, it'll still taste delicious. Happy cooking, partner!