Pioneer Woman Cowboy Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Pioneer Woman’s Cowboy Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for feeding a hungry family. Combining savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and golden tater tots, it’s an easy one-pan meal packed with flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 (32-oz) bag tater tots
• 4 strips bacon
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 lb ground sirloin
• 1 (10.75-oz) can cream of mushroom soup
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp black pepper, divided
• 3 cups baby spinach, chopped
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 8 oz shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Chives or scallions for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Let the tater tots thaw slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Step 2: Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove, drain on paper towels, then chop into small pieces.
3. Step 3: In the bacon grease, sauté the chopped onion and garlic until softened. Add the ground sirloin and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
4. Step 4: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, chopped spinach, and frozen corn. Mix until combined.
5. Step 5: Spread the beef mixture evenly in a baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese over the top. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese and the remaining black pepper over the tater tots.
6. Step 6: Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy. Remove from oven, sprinkle the chopped bacon on top, and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chives or scallions and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a dash of smoked paprika or chili powder to the beef mixture.
• Substitute ground sirloin with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• Use fresh corn instead of frozen when in season for a sweeter bite.
• If you prefer a creamier casserole, stir in a little sour cream before baking.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover and warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through, about 15–20 minutes, to keep the tater tots crispy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of cheese in this casserole?

Yes, cheddar and colby jack are great choices, but you can also use Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a blend for a different flavor and melt.

Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

This casserole can be assembled a few hours ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake. Add the tater tots right before baking to maintain their crispiness.

Pioneer Woman Cowboy Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 130 reviews

Pioneer Woman Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish featuring crispy tater tots layered over a savory mixture of ground sirloin, bacon, vegetables, and creamy mushroom soup, all baked to golden perfection with melted cheese on top. This casserole is perfect for a family dinner or potluck gathering, delivering a satisfying balance of flavors and textures with every bite.

• Author: Amaya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base & Tater Tots

• 1 (32-oz) bag tater tots

Meat & Vegetables

• 4 strips bacon
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 lb ground sirloin
• 3 cups baby spinach, chopped
• 1 cup frozen corn

Soup & Dairy

• 1 (10.75-oz) can cream of mushroom soup
• 3/4 cup milk
• 8 oz shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Seasonings & Garnish

• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp black pepper, divided
• Chives or scallions for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Allow the tater tots to thaw slightly to ensure even cooking during baking.
2. Cook bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon strips until they turn crispy. Remove from the skillet onto paper towels to drain excess grease, then chop into small pieces and set aside.
3. Sauté onion and garlic: In the remaining bacon grease, sauté the chopped yellow onion and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Cook ground sirloin: Add the ground sirloin to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
5. Add soup mixture: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, half of the black pepper (1/2 tsp), chopped spinach, and frozen corn. Mix well and cook for a few minutes until everything is evenly combined and heated through.
6. Assemble casserole: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture into a casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese evenly over the top. Next, arrange the tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
7. Add parmesan and pepper: Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese and remaining black pepper (1/4 tsp) over the tater tots for added flavor and a crispy finish.
8. Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
9. Finish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the chopped bacon evenly over the top. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped chives or scallions before serving.

Notes

• Allow tater tots to thaw slightly before baking to ensure even cooking.
• You can substitute ground sirloin with ground beef or turkey for a leaner option.
• If preferred, use fresh corn instead of frozen for added sweetness.
• For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the beef mixture.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Pioneer Woman, Cowboy Casserole, tater tots, ground sirloin casserole, bacon casserole, comfort food, baked casserole