Cowboy Bake (Printable Version)
Tasty ground beef dish topped with crispy tots, melty cheese, and a hint of corn and bacon for that cozy feeling.
# Ingredients:
→ Protein & Base
01 -
Crumbled bacon, ½ cup cooked
02 -
Ground beef, ½ pound (85/15 lean)
→ Creamy Mixture
03 -
¼ cup sour cream
04 -
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided in half
05 -
⅓ cup full-fat milk
06 -
Corn kernels, 1 cup (well-drained canned or frozen)
07 -
⅔ cup condensed mushroom soup
→ Seasonings & Topping
08 -
32 oz bag of frozen tater tots
09 -
1 tsp onion powder
10 -
½ tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
# Steps:
01 -
Set your oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch dish with butter or spray.
02 -
Put a large pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart until there's no pink left. Once done, pour off any fat.
03 -
In the skillet with the beef, toss in the bacon, cheddar cheese (save half for later), soup, corn, sour cream, black pepper, milk, and onion powder.
04 -
Mix everything together in the skillet. Stir until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce.
05 -
Evenly spread the meat and cheese mixture across the bottom of your prepared dish.
06 -
Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar cheese on top. Lay the tater tots on in a neat, single layer to cover the surface.
07 -
Pop it into the oven uncovered for about 40-45 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the top is golden and crispy and the edges are bubbling.
08 -
Pull it out of the oven, sprinkle on the last bit of cheese, and bake another 5 minutes until it's gooey.
09 -
Let it rest on the counter for 5 minutes to set. Dish it out hot for the ultimate comfort bite!
# Notes:
01 -
Can be frozen for up to 3 months. Assemble it and freeze before baking. When baking from frozen, add an extra 15-20 minutes to cook time.
02 -
Want a leaner option? Swap the beef for ground turkey or chicken.
03 -
Throw in chopped bell peppers or jalapeños for added crunch and spice.
04 -
Leftovers can be reheated at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes.