Topped with crispy golden tater tots, this Cowboy Casserole Recipe features flavorful ground beef, sweet corn, and black beans in a creamy, bubbly cheese sauce. It’s as easy to make as it is affordable – the perfect weeknight dinner.

Wooden serving spoon filled with a generous serving of cowboy casserole including several crispy tater tots.

Cowboy Casserole Recipe with Tater Tots

Meaty, creamy, cheesy, and crunchy, this cowboy casserole has everything you’d expect from a totally irresistible hot dish (and maybe even more!). A true “stick to your ribs” kind of dish, it’s comforting, filling, and always satisfying.

Different from many cowboy casserole recipes, this one does not use canned cream of mushroom soup. Instead, we’re making our own sauce by combining sour cream, milk, chicken broth, and lots of cheese! It’s so easy to make and tastes way better than any canned soup.

This budget-friendly casserole is great for feeding a large crowd – or a bunch of hungry children. It’s one of my favorites to make whenever I know the neighborhood kids will be staying over for dinner.

All of the ingredients needed to make creamy cowboy casserole with tater tot topping in individual measuring cups and ramekins.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

Find the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

Ground beef: I prefer using lean ground beef. You can substitute the beef with any other ground meat, like ground turkey.
Butter: Used to sauté the veggies. You can use salted or unsalted butter.
Onions and bell peppers: We’re adding green onions and green bell peppers. Feel free to substitute the green onions for red or yellow onions and swap the green bell pepper for the color of your choice, like red or orange. Green beans are another popular addition.
Garlic: For savory flavor.
Seasoning: This dish includes smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. For more Tex-Mex flavor, try adding a couple of tablespoons of taco seasoning.
Corn: Corn adds sweetness and texture.
Black beans: The beans are added for protein and fiber, but also texture and flavor. Feel free to swap with another type of bean, like pinto beans.
Rotel tomatoes: Canned Rotel tomatoes with green chilies are sold in mild to spicy flavors. Be sure to pick the spice level that works for you and your family.
Sour cream: To add creaminess and tanginess to the sauce. For best results, use full-fat sour cream.
Milk: I used whole milk.
Chicken broth: I like using low-sodium broth and adding additional salt later on if needed.
Cheese: This casserole includes both mozzarella and cheddar cheese. The cheese thickens the sauce and tops the tater tots. Other types of cheese that would be great in this recipe include Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, or a blend of cheeses. For best results, shred the cheese directly from the block rather than using pre-shredded bags of cheese.
Frozen tater tots: Tater tots are the classic topping for cowboy casserole, although crushed tortilla chips or cornbread are possible substitutions.

How to Make Cowboy Casserole

Cooked ground beef in a large cast iron skillet.

Minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper added to a large cast iron skillet filled with softened green onions and green bell pepper.

Canned tomatoes, canned corn, and canned black beans added to a large cast iron skillet filled with softened green onions and green bell pepper.

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a large 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Brown the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart into smaller pieces as it cooks. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat to a clean plate and set aside. Drain any grease from the skillet and discard.

3. Cook the veggies: Return the skillet to medium heat and melt the butter. Once melted, stir in the onions and green bell pepper and cook until softened, about five minutes. Stir in the garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper, and continue to cook for about a minute more, stirring continuously.

Tomatoes, corn, and black beans pooled in a mixture of milk, chicken, broth, and sour cream and contained in a large cast iron skillet.

Shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and cooked ground beef in a large cast iron skillet filled with black beans, canned tomatoes, and corn in a creamy sour cream sauce.

Cheesy, meaty filling for cowboy casserole in a large cast iron skillet.

4. Make the filling: Stir the corn, black beans, and Rotel into the veggies. Cook, stirring often, for about five minutes (reduce the heat if you notice any burning or sticking to the bottom of the skillet). Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream, milk, and chicken broth. Then stir in the cooked beef, mozzarella cheese, and 1 cup of cheddar until melted.

Large oval-shaped casserole dish filled with the cheesy, meat, bean, corn, and veggie filling for cowboy casserole in an even layer and topped with shredded cheddar cheese.

A single layer of arranged frozen tater tots placed on top of a large oval-shaped casserole dish filled with the cheesy, meat, bean, corn, and veggie filling for cowboy casserole in an even layer and topped with shredded cheddar cheese.

A single layer of arranged crispy baked tater tots placed in a large oval-shaped casserole dish filled with the cheesy, meat, bean, corn, and veggie filling for cowboy casserole in an even layer and topped with shredded cheddar cheese.

5. Assemble and Bake: Pour the creamy meat filling into the prepared casserole dish in an even layer and sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese. Arrange the tater tots on top, then bake, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly and the tots are golden and crispy.

6. Serve: Serve garnished with freshly chopped green onions plus a side of hot sauce or ketchup.

What to Serve with Cowboy Casserole

This is a hearty dish that pairs well with a light side salad like this Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan or Balsamic Tomato Basil Salad. You could also toss your favorite salad mix with this homemade Italian Dressing or Champagne Vinaigrette.

Can I Make It Ahead?

Yes, you can make this cowboy casserole up to 24 hours in advance.

Prepare everything as outlined in the instructions until the tater tots are added. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Just before baking, arrange the frozen tater tots over the top of the casserole and bake.

Storage and Leftovers

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The tater tots will soften over time, so you may want to reheat leftovers in the oven rather than the microwave.

Freezing is not recommended, although it is possible. Keep in mind that the dairy (sour cream and milk) may split or curdle after freezing, thawing, and reheating.

Cowboy Casserole