Cowboy Casserole

Instructions

1. 1. Preheat the oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature will allow the casserole to cook evenly, with the tater tots becoming crispy and the cheese melting beautifully. Lightly grease a 9×9-inch or similar-sized baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent the casserole from sticking during baking.
   2. Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the skillet and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Using a spatula, break the beef up into small pieces as it cooks, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 7-8 minutes, or until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink. If there’s excess grease in the pan, drain it off to avoid a greasy casserole. Ground beef with a fat content of 85/15 is ideal because it provides enough richness without being too greasy. For leaner options, you can use ground turkey or chicken, but the flavor may differ slightly.
   3. Season the beef: Once the ground beef is browned, add the garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley to the pan. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings. These simple seasonings enhance the savory flavor of the beef and complement the other ingredients in the casserole. Taste the beef mixture and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Remove the skillet from the heat once the beef is well-seasoned and ready to be incorporated into the casserole.
   4. Combine the casserole ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef with the corn kernels and the condensed cream of mushroom soup. Stir everything together until the beef, corn, and soup are fully mixed. The cream of mushroom soup acts as the binding agent, giving the casserole a creamy, comforting texture. If you’re using frozen corn, make sure it is thawed and drained before adding it to the mixture. For added flavor, you can use fresh or canned corn, depending on what’s available to you.
   5. Assemble the casserole: Transfer the beef, corn, and soup mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly to cover the bottom of the dish. Once the base layer is in place, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. The cheese will melt into the casserole, adding richness and flavor to every bite. At this point, you can also add other toppings if desired, such as sliced green onions or a bit of crumbled bacon, for extra flavor and texture.
   6. Top with tater tots: The final step in assembling the casserole is to top it with frozen tater tots. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer over the top of the casserole, covering the entire surface. The tater tots will bake up golden and crispy, creating a crunchy topping that contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling below. If you want an extra crispy top, feel free to drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the tater tots before baking.
   7. Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbling around the edges. The cheese should be fully melted, and the whole dish should be hot and well-cooked. If you like your tater tots extra crispy, you can broil the casserole for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of the baking time, but keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.