Make this amazing Crockpot Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole for the ultimate easy family dinner! It features layers of seasoned ground beef, a creamy sauce with melty cheese, and golden brown tater tots.
This hearty and flavorful dish is guaranteed to become an instant family favorite. Perfect for even the busiest nights when you need a hands-off meal that everybody will love.
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🩵 About This Recipe
Looking for a super easy slow cooker meal that delivers on flavor every time? This amazing cowboy tater tot casserole is sure to be a new family favorite!
It features crispy, golden brown tater tots, filling ground beef, and melty cheese. Thanks to easy prep, all you have to do is throw everything together and let the slow cooker do the work for you.
And if you and your family can't get enough of tater tots, my Loaded Tater Tots or this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole will also be favorites!
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- ground beef - provides some protein and delicious and rich flavor.
- corn - adds a bit of sweetness and crunchy texture.
- cream of mushroom soup - gives the casserole a deliciously creamy base.
- sour cream - adds its signature tangy taste.
- shredded cheddar cheese - there are lots of cheeses that work in this casserole, but cheddar is a classic!
- onion - adds a savory taste.
- garlic powder - enhances the flavor of the casserole.
- salt and black pepper - make the dish richer and more satisfying.
- tater tots - turn frozen tater tots into a phenomenal casserole topping!
🔪 Let's Make Cowboy Casserole!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Combine Ingredients
Combine browned ground beef, cream of mushroom, sour cream, cheese, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker.
Slow Cook
Add a layer of tater tots over top, then cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- For some extra flavor, saute the onion with the ground beef before adding.
- Drain the corn before adding it to the slow cooker, and be sure to drain off any excess liquid from the beef as well.
- Be sure to give everything a good mix before turning on the slow cooker.
- The tater tots will cook best if they're arranged in a single layer over top the rest of the casserole.
❔ FAQs
There's no definitive answer for this, but most cowboy casserole recipes include ingredients that would've been easy for cowboys to cook and eat while they were out on the range!
No, some cowboy casserole recipes have a cornbread topping, a layer of potatoes, or biscuits. There are many ways to prepare this dish and many times it comes down to personal preference!
If you didn't drain the corn before adding it, there may be excess moisture in your casserole. The same is true of the beef; make sure to dispose of any grease or moisture before you mix it into the casserole.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Ground turkey and ground chicken can be used instead of ground beef for a lighter version of this casserole.
- For some extra color, flavor, and heartiness, mix in green beans, peas, or diced bell pepper.
- Monterey Jack and Pepper Jack are both great options to use instead of or alongside the cheddar.
- Use cream of celery or cream of chicken soup instead of the cream of mushroom if you like.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
Cook under the broiler for a few minutes at the end for extra crispy and golden tater tots!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
If you have leftovers of this slow cooker cowboy casserole, transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 days or so. You can also freeze for up to 2 months.
To reheat, microwave individual portions, or reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F until properly heated through. From frozen, allow the leftovers to thaw in the fridge first.
⏳ Make Ahead Instructions
Feel free to brown the ground beef and chop the onion ahead of time and store in the fridge. Then all you need to do for prep is mix everything together and slow cook!
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this cowboy casserole recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Serve this slow cooker cowboy casserole with a light side salad or your favorite vegetable for a nice balanced meal. If you're looking for some additional toppings, a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of bacon bits, or some diced green onions are perfect! Garlic bread or dinner rolls are also great sides for this casserole.
😋 More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Biscuits - Another fantastic slow cooker dinner that features fluffy biscuits on top of hearty chicken and veggies.
- Crockpot Enchilada Casserole - Switch up your Taco Tuesday this week with this amazing take on enchiladas!
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Hash Browns - If you can't get enough slow cooker dinners with hearty potatoes, this is sure to be a major hit.
- Slow Cooker Chili - This recipe from Southern Bite delivers classic flavors and a hearty, filling meal!
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Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole
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📋 Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
- 15 ounces corn, drained
- 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- 20 ounces frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Spray the crock pot insert with nonstick spray. Add the browned ground beef, corn, soup, sour cream, cheese, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.1 pound ground beef, browned and drained, 15 ounces corn, drained, 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom, ½ cup sour cream, 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 small onion, diced, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, Salt and pepper
- Spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer across the top.20 ounces frozen tater tots
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the tater tots are soft but cooked through and the mixture is hot and bubbly.
- If desired, transfer to a baking dish and broil the top for 2-3 minutes to lightly brown the tater tots before serving.
Notes
Prep Tips:
- If desired, you can saute the diced onion with the ground beef before adding to the crock pot.
- Make sure to drain the corn and cooked beef well to avoid a watery casserole.
- If you like crispy tater tots, broil the top for a few minutes after slow cooking to add a golden finish.
- To reduce prep time, you can brown the beef the night before and refrigerate it until ready to use.
Variation Suggestions:
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Feel free to mix in peas, green beans, or diced bell peppers for extra color and nutrition.
- You can try a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack or even pepper jack for a little kick.
- Swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken or cream of celery.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a simple green salad or steamed green vegetable for a balanced meal.
- Add a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of green onions on top.
- Include a side of garlic bread or dinner rolls.
Storage Info for Leftovers:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave or larger portions in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through.
- For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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