I'm so happy that summer is ready to get the heck out of here. Those of you that know me, know that summer is not my favorite season. In fact, it's my least favorite of the four.
If it could just be kind enough to arrive without the heat and humidity, I’d really enjoy it a whole helluva lot more. Humidity is not my friend.
Bad. Bad. Bad. It makes my hair frizz. Frizzy hair is not a good look for me.
Fall, now that is my season. My hair does not frizz in the fall. This makes me happy.
I enjoy cooking and baking so much more in the fall. My kitchen is a little cozier when the oven is heating it up instead of the sweltering heat from outside.
I can barely wait for all the soups, stews and casseroles that are just around the corner.
I saw this recipe is an issue of Taste of Home and I literally couldn’t wait to make it. Luckily the weather wasn’t as hot as it has been over the past few weeks.
Now as you can see from the title…this is nothing to look at. It’s not a pretty looking casserole, but what casserole is really?
I changed it up quite a bit. This is the kind of dish that you can really make your own. It is what my husband would call a “stick to your ribs” kind of meal.
It’s comfort food on a fork. I've made it two times in 3 weeks. Think shepherd's pieish, with a wicked twist. A delicious mix of hamburger, cheese and corn sandwiched in between a layer of crunchy tots. It's the kind of dish Napoleon Dynamite would give 2 thumbs up too.
My casserole dish missed me. "sniff"
Cowboy Casserole
adapted from a recipe at Taste of Home
1 1/2 pounds ground beef (I used 80/20)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can (15.25oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 bag (30 oz) frozen tater tots (I used Ore-Ida Crispy Crowns)
Before I got ready to make this casserole, I let the Crispy Crowns sit on the counter to defrost for an hour or so. The original recipe used still frozen tater tots, but I felt they wouldn't cook as well if they were still frozen solid.
In a large skillet cook the onion until tender and translucent. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the beef and cook over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain the mixture and place into a large bowl and set aside.
In a small bowl combine the soup, milk and sour cream. Whisk until smooth. Add to hamburger mixture and stir to combine. Add corn and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Gently mix to combine.
Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer half of the Crispy Crowns on the bottom, pour the hamburger mixture over the top and then layer with the other half of the Crispy Crowns. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crunchy.
*Note - The second time I made this I prepared it the night before and stuck it in the fridge overnight. I took it out about an hour before I wanted to bake it, just so it could come to room temperature a bit. I think it was even better than the first one!
52 comments:
"Looks like dog food..." I had to laugh! I always have trouble photographing stuff like pot roast or meat loaf--very unattractive but tasty!
I've made this one! A couple times. I'd forgotten about it, so thanks for the reminder. It is a great/easy/yummy Fall dish, for sure. I am the opposite of you in terms of the seasons, though - I want summer to go on forever. Whimper, whimper.
This is my absolute favorite food. My family has been making a simpler version since I was a baby (but we call it Tator Tot Casserole). We just use a lb of beef, a can of corn, a can of mushroom soup, cheese, and tator tots.
Also, I have recently started to make a different version - sub beef, corn, and mushroom soup for chicken, broccoli, and cream of chicken soup, then sprinkle some seasoning salt on top. Sometimes I also add a bit of cheese soup. It is GOOD.
shouldn't every good recipe come with the tagline "looks like dog food-tastes delicious". You crack me up my friend!
My girl is going to love it. I might just have to make a change to the meal plan.
It's cool here now (thank heavens) my hair detests humidity too (well almost all weather) but still...
You know what I'm thinking...apple cake, applesauce, apple crumble, apple dumplings...yummm for fall.
What temp do you cook it at? I was thinking high - like 375 or so since the tater tots need the high heat to crisp up.
I have this made up, sitting on the counter - I'll cook it a little later but I wanted to share my little adjustment to the recipe. My kids don't really care for corn so instead, I cut up 3 spicy beans (from a jar) and added them. I'm crossing my fingers.
Pamela I'm sorry! I left out the temp. I just corrected that! I actually baked it at 350 and the tots browned right up. As I said, I let them defrost a bit so they weren't frozen solid when I put them in.
Hope you enjoy it!
Ohhhh, YUMMY! What a GREAT recipe - my two teenage boys devoured it! Used 3 spicy green beans instead of corn and all they said was "what was that green thing?" This is definitely a keeper! Thanks!
Fantastic casserole. Look pretty good actually. Not anything like the dog's dinner. My kind of dish.
Just found your blog. Look forward to following you here.
It looks wonderful. Everything was fine until I got to the Tater Tots. (take a quick look at the label - ouch!). I'm gonna make this (Or very close) but will substitute sliced real potato rounds, probably with a little par-boil. If it boes not brown/crisp as expected, a quick pass under the broiler will do it. Thanks for sharing this. Good Pix. And NO, I don't tink it looks like dog food. Very attractive dish.
Believe me, this does not look like dog food but I had to laugh! It is difficult to photograph casseroles with gooey cheese but I bet it was delicious.
I'm pretty sure my husband would love this dish!
Looks yummy Lisa!
My Husband makes a version of this with Mac and Cheese as the bottom layer, and corn AND green beans in the meat layer. He calls his 'Junk Food Pie' I may have to get him to make some this week!
OMGoodness you brought back memories, I use to make this for my kids years ago, we called it Tator Tot Casserole and I used peas or sometimes green beans for the corn. it's so good, stick to your ribs good!
Dog food or no, it sounds ridiculously yummy. Found you via pinterest (you're trending!) so I had to come and see.
I made it tonight for my family and it was a huge hit! Thanks for sharing!
The cheese measurements in the recipe directions did not add up to the amount in the listed ingredients. Which one is right, 1.5 cups or 2 cups? Thanks!
This passed the test with my hubby and boys! I made a double batch so I could bring a meal to a new mama - they loved it, too!
Shared this as part of my Pinterest Project! http://fabulouslydomesticbyambrosia.blogspot.com/2011/09/pinterest-project-day-10-cowboy.html
In my parts we call this Tater-Tot Hot dish. Every family, every person has a different version. But it has the same bones, ground meat (usually beef), cream of something soup, milk, veggies, with a layer of tots on top! I love the layer on the bottom as well, I may have to try that the next time I make my version of the hot dish!
This sounds really warming and a good dish for a cold autumn/winter night.... what are tater tots tho? we don't have them over here in the UK, the only thing i can think they might be is mashed potato rolled in breadcrumbs? in the UK we call them potato croquettes, is this what they are?
Thanks
Lisa
Lisa, let me see how I can describe them. They are like a crunchy potato puff? They crisp up in the oven. If anyone else can help me out, jump right in, lol.
Tater-tots are like baked hash-brown bites!
I made it tonight .. used too much cheese and it was kinda huge - but we LOVED it. brought back memories - ty <3
It is almost the same as what Tater-Tot Casserole is for me. We just do not add the sour cream. But my family loves it. so easy to make too!!!
FYI- I have been making versions of tater tot cassereole for over 25 years and frozen comes out just fine, no need to thaw. I have come to use the crowns now as my favorites. I will try this version of the recipe. It looks yummy. My version I use french style green beans and my husband makes it with peas. To each their own. Thanks
I will be making this! Love those recipes that are easily customized and will probably try subbing ground turkey for a leaner alternative and adding some other veggies... bell pepper? My husband will love this!!!
I have a similar recipe except instead of ground beef I use bratwurst (sp). Just remove it from the casing. It disappears in minutes.
this looks wonderful! i will try this one for the kids! thanks! susan
Totally made this and it's one of the few meals that Husband had seconds of! I wrote about it here: http://domesticallychallengedgrrl.blogspot.com/2011/12/food-friday_23.html
This looks amazing! Saw it on Pinterest and had to see what it was. Now, I don't have tater tots (I know, how could I not?!) but I have a bag of frozen hash browns. Do you think I can still whip this bad boy up? Also should I use the same time and oven heat? I would love to try it!
Sara I think they would work. I wouldn't adjust the temp. Let me know how it works out!
This is a gussied-up remix of Tater Tot Casserole, which I (and my mom before me) made with mixed vegetables (canned, drained or frozen.)
It's an easy way to sneak some veggies in on picky eaters.
Coincidentally, I picked up a bag of tater tots this week just to make this dish. I'll try adding the sour cream to see what it does for the flavor. For those who don't like the preservatives in tater tots, try shredded hash browns on top, with a handful of shredded cheese and a bit of salt and pepper. You'll get a similar taste without the fat and preservatives. Rock on, fellow casserolers!
Sounds absolutely YUMMY! Can't wait to try it. For someone on a gluten-free diet, what do you think you'd substitute for the cream of mushroom soup?
I've made something like this before but used hotdogs! It's delicious, too. :-)
I have made similar to this in the past and a good tip for leftovers (makes to much for my small family). We love it the next morning with over easy eggs on top and some toast!
I love your blog! Found you on Pinterest, looks like dog food, hysterical, yummy country cookin! Nettie
Can you substitute cream of celery for the cream of mushroom?
Ohhh my was this good!!! I used the same kind of tots and while I browned the meat, I put the bottom layer of tots in the oven to get crispy. Also used green beans instead of corn since I didn't have any corn. But still sooooo good!!! I had to stop my hubs from takin all the leftovers to work to share because that would leave me with slim pickins!!
Try it with ground sausage and no corn for a tasty breakfast!! I also substituted the corn for drained rotel tomatoes and didn't use the milk.. I live it!!
I grew Up eating "Tater Tot Casserole" Love it, I put peas instead of corn and add a cup of small cottage cheese into the mix, but still the basic recipe!!!! Try this version you will love it!
My husband and son would love this dish.
Meat and taters....my hubby's favorite. Looks yummy!
hello its nice and i think its very delicious recipes...i have a question,whats ball on top..thank u
Thanks for sharing! I just made it for dinner last night... amazing and extra yummy!!!! here's the recipe i posted on my blog, thanks a lot! http://gabhousewife.blogspot.com/2012/02/cowboy-casserole.html
Make this a lot....take it for luncheons and always bring back an empty dish!!!
Totally not my healthiest meal, but sooo yummy! Thanks for sharing, glad I found this on pinterest. Even the hubby couldn't help but have seconds. Thanks again.
I have made this before and yummo! One night I layered the bottom with onion rings from the frozen food section. It was a total hit!
Want to make this!! Can I make ahead and freeze it? I work late and have husband and father-in-law to feed, need things to make for husband to cook. Thank-you
Yum, my family loves tater tot casserole! For the person who asked about gluten-free substitutions, they do make gf cream soups now. If you cant find them in your area, alfredo sauce is a good substitution - maybe a light version to cut back a little on the richness.
my sister is newly gluten-free & the cream of mushroom she got was tasty. We have been making this for years calling it tater tot cass. Frozen taters work fine but I don't put them on the bottom. Meat mix on bottom,layer of cheese, tater tots on top. I also bake it according to the tater tot packing, for time & temp. My nephew likes the mini tots on his.
This recipe was so amazing! Thank you so much. The second time I made this I added a can of chopped green chilles to add some heat! Amazing!!!!
Want to jazz up the hamburger a bit???? After draining hamburger sprinkle an envelope of dry onion soup mix on the meat and stir good...I also like to add the cream soup to the meat while still on the burner...helps distribute it evenly through the casserole...happy eating!!
We are eating it for dinner right now and it is excellent!! I used venison instead of the ground beef. Thank you for the recipe.
Other than the corn, this is similar to one of our favorites. It's really good with some warm homemade bread out of the bread machine. Thanks for sharing it!
I have made this a couple of times after I saw it on Pinterest. Making it again tonight. Thanks!!!
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