Cowboy Casserole

All of the flavors of a beef taco plus Tater Tots.

By
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel has over 10 years of experience developing recipes and writing about food. She is the author of 4 cookbooks, including the bestselling "The Instant Pot Electric Cookbook."
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Updated February 19, 2025
Laurel Randolph
cowboy casserole in a casserole dish next to a plate with a serving

Simply Recipes / Photo by Will Dickey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

Sometimes you need a stick-to-your-ribs, one-pan meal that feeds the whole family. Bonus points if it’s meaty, cheesy, and filled with taco-esque flavors with a crispy top. Cowboy casserole is all that and more—everything I look for in a hearty casserole.

The filling consists of ground beef, onion, pinto beans, corn, tomatoes, and taco seasoning along with sour cream and melty cheese. Topped with potato tots that crisp up in the hot oven, the whole family will fall in love.

Make Cowboy Casserole Ahead

You can make the filling a day or two ahead, let it cool, then refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Reheat the filling before adding to the dish and topping with the potato tots. You can also completely assemble the casserole, then tightly wrap it and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before baking.

Recipe Variations on Cowboy Casserole

  • Use black beans instead of pinto beans
  • Swap the ground beef for ground turkey
  • Make your own taco seasoning
  • Swap the garlic powder for 2 to 3 minced garlic cloves
  • Some canned tomatoes with green chiles, like Rotel, come in different heat levels. Use mild, medium, or hot, depending on your desired spice level
spoonful of cowboy casserole lifted from a casserole dish with more

Simply Recipes / Photo by Will Dickey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

Ground Beef Casseroles

Cowboy Casserole

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Servings 6 to 8 servings

This recipe was developed by Julia Levy.

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Ingredients

  • Nonstick spray

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 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 (about 2 cups)

  • 1 (32-ounce) package frozen potato tots

  • Chopped fresh cilantro, optional

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.

    Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

  2. Cook the beef:

    Heat the oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook, stirring often, until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. 

    Stir in the taco seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and cook, stirring constantly, until the meat is fully coated and fragrant, about 1 minute.

    sauteed onions cooked in a pan for cowboy casserole recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Will Dickey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley
    ground beef stirred into the cooked onions in the pot for cowboy casserole recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Will Dickey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley
  3. Finish the filling:

    Add the pinto beans, tomatoes, and frozen corn and stir until incorporated, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese. Stir until creamy and saucy, about 1 minute.

    canned tomatoes and beans added to pot with ground beef and onions for cowboy casserole recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Will Dickey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley
    sour cream and cheeses mixed added to the same pot for cowboy casserole recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Will Dickey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley
  4. Assemble and bake:

    Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese. Arrange the potato tots in a single layer over the cheese. 

    Bake until the potato tots are golden brown and cooked through and the filling is bubbling around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.

    Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, skip the microwave (nobody likes soggy tots) and reheat the casserole in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F until warmed through.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    cowboy casserole filling added to a casserole dish and topped with shredded cheese

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Will Dickey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley
    cowboy casserole filling topped with frozen tater tots

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Will Dickey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
663 Calories
36g Fat
55g Carbs
32g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 663
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 47%
Saturated Fat 13g 64%
Cholesterol 92mg 31%
Sodium 1474mg 64%
Total Carbohydrate 55g 20%
Dietary Fiber 7g 24%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 32g
Vitamin C 13mg 64%
Calcium 289mg 22%
Iron 4mg 23%
Potassium 1012mg 22%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.