Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole
A hearty Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole made with seasoned ground beef, beans, tomatoes, corn, sour cream, cheese, and crispy potato tots baked until golden and bubbling—an easy, comforting crowd-pleasing dinner.
8 Servings
Ingredients
- Nonstick spray
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped (approximately 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 1/2 pounds 90/10 ground beef
- 1 1-ounce envelope taco seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 15-ounce cans pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 2 10-ounce cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 8-ounce package shredded Mexican-blend cheese divided (approximately 2 cups)
- 1 32-ounce package frozen potato tots
- Chopped fresh cilantro optional, for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
Cook the Beef Mixture
- Heat the canola oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, approximately 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and use a spoon to break it apart. Cook, stirring frequently, until fully browned, 5–6 minutes.
- Add the taco seasoning mix, garlic powder, and salt. Stir continuously for 1 minute, ensuring the meat is evenly coated and fragrant.
Finish the Filling
- Add the pinto beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and frozen corn to the skillet. Stir until fully incorporated, approximately 1 minute. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sour cream and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese until the mixture is creamy and evenly combined.
Assemble the Casserole
- Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese evenly over the surface. Arrange the frozen potato tots in a single, even layer on top.
Bake the Casserole
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the potato tots are golden brown, fully cooked, and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired.
Notes
To make this casserole gluten-free:
- Use a certified gluten-free taco seasoning mix, as some brands contain wheat or maltodextrin derived from wheat.
- Confirm that the canned beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and frozen corn are labeled gluten-free.
- Select gluten-free potato tots (most are naturally gluten-free, but labels may vary).
- Ensure the sour cream and Mexican-blend cheese are gluten-free (most are, but additives differ by brand).