Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish packed with ground beef, beans, corn, and vibrant vegetables, topped with melted cheddar cheese and crunchy potato chips or crispy tater tots. This savory casserole is perfect for family dinners and offers bold Tex-Mex flavors with an easy preparation and baking process.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped (mix of colors)
- 1 cup canned corn, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed
Seasoning
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups potato chips or tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the chopped onions and bell peppers until they become soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Cook Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned and crumbly, approximately 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to break the meat apart.
- Add Beans and Spices: Stir in the canned corn, rinsed black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture for an additional 3 to 4 minutes to blend the flavors well.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the cooked beef and vegetable mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Layer the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the mixture, then top with potato chips or tater tots for a crunchy or crispy finish.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.
- For added spice, include diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- Use gluten-free potato chips to keep this dish gluten-free.
- This casserole stores well and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Serve with a side of sour cream or guacamole for extra creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: cowboy casserole, ground beef casserole, tex-mex casserole, easy casserole recipe, comforting dinner
