Hearty Cowboy Casserole Recipe: My Weeknight Comfort Fix (Print Version)

Hearty Cowboy Casserole Recipe, a comforting family meal. Quick prep, savory beef, and cheesy goodness for any busy weeknight.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Meat, Dairy

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 lean preferred)
02 - 1 medium Onion, chopped
03 - 3 cloves Garlic, minced
04 - 14.5 oz Canned Diced Tomatoes, undrained
05 - 15 oz Canned Corn, drained
06 - 15 oz Canned Black Beans, rinsed and drained

→ Creamy Potato Topping

07 - 2 large Russet Potatoes, peeled and diced
08 - 1/2 cup Milk (whole milk recommended)
09 - 2 tbsp Butter
10 - 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded

→ Flavor Boosters

11 - 1 tbsp Chili Powder
12 - 1 tsp Cumin
13 - Salt to taste
14 - Black Pepper to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those potatoes ready for our Hearty Cowboy Casserole Recipe! Peel your russets and dice them into roughly 1-inch cubes. Pop 'em into a pot, cover with cold water, and add a good pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until they're fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. This is where I always forget to salt the water, and then the potatoes taste a bit bland later. Drain them well, then mash them with the milk and butter until smooth. Season with a little salt and pepper. Set aside; this creamy topping is going to be epic!
02 - In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown your ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once it's nicely browned, drain off any excess fat—don't skip this, hon, or your casserole will be greasy! Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant. Oh, the smell at this point is just divine; it's the real start of our amazing Hearty Cowboy Casserole Recipe. I once got distracted and burned the garlic here, and the whole dish had a bitter undertone. Keep an eye on it!
03 - Now for the good stuff! Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained!), drained corn, and rinsed black beans into the beef mixture. Add the chili powder and cumin, then give everything a good stir to combine. Let it simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, allowing those flavors to meld together beautifully. This is where the sauce really comes alive, smelling warm and spicy. Taste it here, seriously! Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Sometimes I add a tiny pinch of sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic. Don't be afraid to experiment, that's what cooking is all about!
04 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spoon the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into the bottom of the dish. This forms the hearty foundation of our Hearty Cowboy Casserole Recipe. Make sure it’s spread out well so every bite gets a bit of everything. I've definitely piled it up unevenly before, and then some spots were too dry, others too saucy. Even distribution is key for a consistent bake and delicious result!
05 - Carefully spread your mashed potato mixture over the beef layer. You can use a spoon or spatula to create a nice, even blanket. Then, sprinkle that glorious shredded cheddar cheese all over the top. Don't be shy with the cheese; it’s going to get all bubbly and golden! Sometimes, I get a little messy here, with potato bits flying, but it’s all part of the kitchen chaos. It's totally fine if it's not perfectly smooth; homemade is always better, right?
06 - Pop your assembled casserole into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the Hearty Cowboy Casserole Recipe is heated through, the potatoes are lightly golden, and the cheese is bubbly and melted. You want to see those little browned edges on the cheese—that's pure flavor! If it's not browning enough, you can pop it under the broiler for a minute or two (watch it like a hawk, though!). Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. That little rest helps everything set, preventing a runny mess when you scoop it out. Enjoy your masterpiece!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd your skillet when browning beef; work in batches if needed, or it'll steam instead of brown, which means less flavor.
02 - Always taste and adjust seasoning throughout the process, especially after adding the tomatoes and beans. Your palate is your best tool!
03 - Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking; it helps everything set and prevents it from falling apart when you serve it.
04 - For extra flavor in your mashed potatoes, try adding a pinch of garlic powder or a dollop of sour cream.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet or Dutch oven
02 - 9x13 inch baking dish
03 - potato masher
04 - cutting board
05 - knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450-550
Total Fat: 25-35g
Total Carbohydrate: 35-45g
Protein: 30-40g

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