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–+ servings
Cowboy casserole in a pan with a spoon.

Cowboy Casserole

This cowboy casserole is an easy one-skillet meal that is cheesy, creamy, meaty, and full of delicious flavors.
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 40 minutes
Total 50 minutes
Fat 26
Carbs 26
Protein 15
Yield 10

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 lb. 85% ground beef
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • ½ medium yellow onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled and minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup frozen corn ~5 oz.
  • 4 oz. fresh spinach
  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • ½ cup 1% milk
  • 4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese ~1 cup
  • 24 oz. frozen tater tots ~¾ of 32 oz. bag

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350℉.
  • Heat the avocado oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the hamburger and brown the meat for 3 minutes.
    Cowboy casserole with ground beef in a skillet on a white background.
  • Add in the red pepper and onion and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
    A cowboy casserole with meat and vegetables in a white pan.
  • Next, add the corn and spinach. When the spinach has wilted down to about half the size, add the cream cheese and milk, stirring until the cream cheese has melted.
    A cowboy casserole filled with vegetables and meat.
  • Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on the top.
    Cheesy cowboy casserole.
  • Line the tater tots up on top of the cheese.
    A pan full of tater tots on a white background, perfect for making cowboy casserole.
  • Bake for 25 minutes. The tater tots should be golden brown, and the cheese should be bubbly.
    A cowboy holding a pan of tater tots.
  • Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips & Notes

  • We used cheddar cheese on this. You can sub any favorite cheese in this.
  • To prepare this ahead of time, at the end of step 4, transfer from the skillet to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Refrigerate until ready to bake. When ready to serve, continue to step 5 and follow the remaining steps.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 26g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g