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A bubbling Cowboy Casserole with ground beef, corn, and melted cheese, ready to serve.

Classic Cowboy Casserole

This hearty Classic Cowboy Casserole features a savory ground beef and vegetable base with your choice of a delicious topping: fluffy mashed potatoes, crispy tater tots, or a golden cornbread.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Spoon

Ingredients
  

Casserole Base

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
  • 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese Optional

Choice of Topping

  • 3-4 medium potatoes, cooked and mashed with butter/milk Mashed Potato Topping
  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots Tater Tot Topping
  • 1 box (8.5 oz) cornbread mix, prepared according to package directions Cornbread Topping

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • If using mashed potato topping, start boiling your potatoes now.

Cook the Beef Mixture

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, then drain excess grease.
  • Add chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet, cook until softened, then stir in minced garlic.
  • Stir in corn, black beans, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes to thicken the sauce and meld flavors, optionally stirring in shredded cheddar cheese.

Assemble and Bake

  • Pour the meat and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  • Spread mashed potatoes, arrange tater tots, or pour cornbread batter evenly over the mixture, depending on your chosen topping.
  • Bake for 25-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown, bubbly, crispy (for tater tots), or a toothpick comes out clean (for cornbread).

Serve

  • Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other spices.