Description
Pioneer Woman Cowboy Casserole is a cheesy, comforting crowd-pleaser featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, corn, sour cream, and a crown of crispy tater tots. This hearty bake delivers cozy family flavor with a golden crust and melted cheddar. Inspired by Pioneer Woman, it’s a simple, budget-friendly weeknight dinner that feeds a crowd and evokes weekend gatherings with classic, homey taste. Perfect for potlucks, game nights, or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add onion and garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in corn, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar, turkey bacon, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well.
- Spread beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange tater tots evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated; bake times may increase by 5-10 minutes if starting from cold.
- Leftover casserole keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the microwave or oven.
- For a lighter version, use lean ground beef and reduce cheese amount.
- Substitute regular bacon or omit bacon for a vegetarian-friendly option (if using meatless crumbles).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–55 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: Not specified
- Sugar: Not specified
- Sodium: Not specified
- Fat: Not specified
- Saturated Fat: Not specified
- Unsaturated Fat: Not specified
- Trans Fat: Not specified
- Carbohydrates: Not specified
- Fiber: Not specified
- Protein: Not specified
- Cholesterol: Not specified
Keywords: Pioneer Woman Cowboy Casserole, tater tot casserole, cheesy beef casserole, crispy tots, comfort food, family dinner, weeknight meal, crowd-pleaser, Pioneer Woman inspired