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Cozy Loaded Cowboy Casserole Recipe Easy Crispy Tater Tot Crust

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A warm and hearty casserole featuring a crispy tater tot crust with a gooey, cheesy filling packed with seasoned ground beef, beans, and peppers. Perfect for quick, comforting meals and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (red or green)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup salsa, medium heat
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
  • Optional garnishes: chopped green onions, jalapeño slices, sour cream or guacamole

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until veggies soften and become fragrant.
  4. Stir in black beans, salsa, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to combine flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  5. Transfer the beef mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
  6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the beef mixture.
  7. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, leaving a little space between tots for crisping.
  8. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and crispy. Rotate the dish halfway through baking for even browning.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  10. Garnish with chopped green onions, jalapeños, sour cream, or guacamole as desired.

Notes

[‘Drain cooked beef to avoid greasy casserole.’, ‘Taste salsa before adding extra salt.’, ‘Tent casserole with foil if tater tots brown too quickly.’, ‘Recipe scales well for larger groups or meal prep.’, ‘For reheating leftovers, use oven to maintain crispiness.’, ‘Can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef.’, ‘Vegetarian version can use mushrooms, lentils, or tempeh.’, ‘Low-carb option: replace tater tots with roasted cauliflower or crispy cheese crust.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: casserole, tater tot casserole, cowboy casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/cozy-loaded-cowboy-casserole-recipe-easy-crispy-tater-tot-crust/