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Hearty Beef Cowboy Casserole | Easy Weeknight Winner You’ll Love

Hearty Beef Cowboy Casserole with Crispy Tater Tots
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Hearty Beef Cowboy Casserole with Crispy Tater Tots is the ultimate comfort food dinner, featuring a savory ground beef and bean filling with bold spices, layered under a cheesy cornbread topping. It’s perfect for cozy weeknights, family dinners, or potlucks — full of flavor, easy to make, and sure to please a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale

**For the Hearty Base:**

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15.25 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

**For the Cornbread Topping:**

  • 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

**For Garnish (Optional):**

  • Fresh cilantro
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Sliced green onions
  • Extra shredded cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.

2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and brown, breaking up with a spoon, about 7–10 minutes. Drain excess fat.

3. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.

4. Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and optional cayenne. Cook 1 minute to bloom spices.

5. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, black beans, and beef broth. Stir well, season with salt and pepper, and let simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.

6. In a mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

7. In another bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, and oil. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.

8. Transfer beef mixture to prepared casserole dish. Spoon cornbread batter over top and spread evenly.

9. Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the cornbread batter.

10. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until cornbread is golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

11. Let casserole rest for 10–15 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro, sour cream, and green onions if desired.

Notes

Letting the casserole rest before serving helps the filling set for cleaner slices.

Add jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat.

Can substitute ground turkey for beef if preferred.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Find it online: https://cookingwithramsay.com/hearty-beef-cowboy-casserole/