This cozy, filling dish brings all the comfort you crave in one warm bite. If you’re hunting for a crowd-pleaser that’s both indulgent and easy, this Cheesy Cowboy Casserole with Bacon Recipe will be your new go-to.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Whenever I pull this Cheesy Cowboy Casserole with Bacon out of the oven, there’s a little celebration in the kitchen. Its rich layers of bacon, cheese, and hearty beef combined with crispy tater tots make it a comforting family favorite that’s hard to beat.
- Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your kitchen, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
- Satisfying combination: The melting cheese, crispy bacon, and golden tater tots create irresistible textures everyone loves.
- Feeds a crowd easily: The recipe serves eight, which makes it perfect for potlucks, game days, or family dinners.
- Customizable to your taste: You can swap out ingredients or add veggies, making it as classic or creative as you want.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This casserole is a layered masterpiece, where each ingredient plays a flavor or texture role that brings the hearty cowboy vibe to life. Choosing the right elements helps the casserole reach its full, comforting potential.
- Ground beef: Adds a rich, meaty base full of savory flavor and protein—drain the grease to keep it from getting too heavy.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Acts as the creamy binder, bringing moisture and a touch of umami without extra effort.
- Milk: Thins the soup to a silky texture so it’s not too thick or dry.
- Sour cream: Provides tang and creaminess, brightening the casserole’s flavor.
- Onion powder, salt, and black pepper: Simple seasoning that boosts all the flavors without overwhelming the dish.
- Frozen corn: Sweet kernels add a pop of color and a little crunch, balancing the savory beef and cheese.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp and melty, cheddar gives the casserole its signature gooey, cheesy goodness.
- Bacon: Crispy and smoky, bacon is the star that elevates this from a basic casserole to a cowboy classic.
- Tater tots (frozen): The iconic crispy topping that seals the deal, giving a golden, crunchy finish to each bite.
Make It Your Way
I love mixing things up with this Cheesy Cowboy Casserole with Bacon Recipe depending on who I’m feeding or what’s on hand. It’s flexible enough to handle tweaks without losing that down-home comfort.
- Vegetable boost: I sometimes toss in diced bell peppers or cooked green beans for extra color and texture, which my kids barely notice thanks to all the cheese and bacon.
- Meat options: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or even shredded chicken to keep things leaner but still flavorful.
- Dairy swap: Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangy twist and extra protein boost.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper if you like a little kick to your cowboy casserole.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Cowboy Casserole with Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Start by heating a skillet over medium heat and cooking the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. I always drain the excess grease thoroughly—it keeps the casserole from becoming greasy and heavy.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Sauce
In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth. Then stir in the onion powder, salt, and pepper. This sauce is the glue that keeps every bite creamy and perfectly seasoned.
Step 3: Combine Filling Ingredients
Add the browned beef, frozen corn, half the shredded cheddar, and chopped bacon to the sauce. Mix everything gently until evenly combined. I find using a wooden spoon gives me good control so I don’t mash the corn or bacon too much.
Step 4: Assemble the Layers
Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, then pour in the beef mixture. Sprinkle half of the remaining cheese over the top, then arrange the tater tots evenly on the casserole. This layering creates the dreamy crunchy topping everyone loves.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for about 40 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are golden and crisp. Then sprinkle the last bit of cheese over the tots and bake for another 5 minutes to melt it perfectly—don’t skip this final cheesy layer!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
If you want to go full cowboy, toss a little extra cooked bacon on top right before serving. I always get extra smiles when the bacon crunch meets cheesy goodness right out of the oven.
Top Tip
From my experience making this casserole with friends and family, a few little tricks make all the difference between just good and unforgettable.
- Drain the beef well: To prevent sogginess, make sure no grease remains after cooking the ground beef. I sometimes blot the meat with paper towels for extra dryness.
- Don’t rush the baking: The 40-minute bake lets the flavors meld and the tater tots crisp perfectly; trying to speed it up leads to undercooked centers or limp tots.
- Layer cheese for melty coverage: Adding cheese in two stages ensures it melts into gooiness and forms a flavorful blanket, not just a skim.
- Rest before serving: Let the casserole sit 5 minutes out of the oven so it sets up and slices cleanly instead of falling apart.
How to Serve Cheesy Cowboy Casserole with Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
I always love a handful of fresh chopped green onions or a smear of sour cream on top—it adds just enough freshness and a nice contrast to all that rich cheese and bacon. A few jalapeño slices can also turn up the heat for those who like it spicy!
Side Dishes
To keep things balanced, I pair this casserole with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies like broccoli or Brussels sprouts. Coleslaw is another favorite because its tang cuts through the richness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to divide the casserole into individual ramekins topped with extra crispy tots and bacon. It looks really inviting and helps serve guests easily with a personal touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually cover the casserole tightly with foil and store it in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to 3 days, but I recommend reheating just the portion you plan to eat to prevent the tater tots from getting soggy.
Freezing
This casserole freezes beautifully before baking. Just assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, cover with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, bake it straight from frozen—just add extra bake time to ensure it heats through.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes to restore crispiness to the tater tots. Microwaving is quick but can make them soft, so use the oven if you want that perfect crunch back.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based meat alternatives. Be sure to add a little extra seasoning to keep the savory depth strong.
Thick-cut smoked bacon gives the best flavor and holds up well in the casserole. You want it crispy but not burnt. Cook it just until it’s nicely browned before adding, so it stays flavorful and crunchy.
Fresh corn is a fantastic upgrade if it’s in season! Use about 1 ½ cups of kernels cooked or raw—they’ll add even sweeter, fresher bursts of flavor. Just be mindful that fresh corn adds a bit more moisture, so keep an eye on baking time.
Yes! Swap the tater tots for roasted cauliflower florets or mashed cauliflower to cut down on carbs while still keeping that satisfying texture on top. Reduce the corn slightly or replace it with a low-carb vegetable like spinach or zucchini.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Cowboy Casserole with Bacon Recipe is one of those meals that feels like a big, warm hug on a plate. I treasure how easy it comes together and how much joy it brings to the table, whether it’s a busy weeknight or a laid-back weekend dinner. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making it again and again, just like I do!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Cowboy Casserole is a comforting, hearty baked dish featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, corn, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and golden tater tots. This easy-to-make family favorite combines savory flavors and textures into one satisfying casserole perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded, divided
- ½ cup bacon cooked and chopped
Soup and Seasonings
- 1 10.75 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Toppings
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn
- 28 ounces frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray for easy casserole removal.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces, until it is no longer pink. Drain excess grease from the beef.
- Prepare Cream Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth and well combined.
- Season and Combine: Add onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the cream mixture. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Mix Ingredients: Fold in the cooked ground beef, frozen corn, ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped bacon into the cream mixture. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Evenly layer ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top, then cover with an even layer of frozen tater tots.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until bubbly and the tater tots are browned on top.
- Add Final Cheese Layer: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve: Optionally sprinkle extra cooked bacon on top before serving. Serve hot and enjoy your hearty cowboy casserole.
Notes
- For a lower fat option, use lean ground beef or ground turkey.
- Substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery if preferred.
- Use store-bought or homemade sour cream based on availability.
- If you want extra crispy tater tots, broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
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