Cowboy casserole is a delicious and hearty Tex-Mex inspired dish. This simple tater tot-topped hot dish is only 8 WW points and bakes up in less than 30 minutes. Ground beef and kidney beans fill this dish with protein and make for a satisfying meal. Cowboy casserole is an excellent dish for busy weeknights because it doesn’t require much prep and can even be made ahead of time and refrigerated.
If you love Mexican casserole, this dish is a great way to shake things up. Similarly, it can be topped with sour cream, cheese, shredded lettuce, and tomato for a customized plate. What sets this dish apart however is the topping. A layer of crispy golden brown tater tots adds flavor and texture to every bite making this savory dish an instant classic.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY THIS RECIPE
- Family Friendly: With mild flavors and crispy tater tots topping the entire dish, the whole family will enjoy this casserole. This recipe makes 8 generous servings so if you’re serving those with smaller appetites, there will be leftovers that make your next meal time a breeze.
- Prep ahead of time: You can make the base of this casserole 8-12 hours ahead of time. When you’re ready to bake it, all you need to do is add the tater tots and pop it into the oven.
- Satisfying: This is a warm and hearty casserole. It’s filled with chunky vegetables, savory beef, and a spiced tomato base that will keep you feeling warm and cozy even on the coldest of days.
RECIPE OVERVIEW
- Serving Size: 237g
- Number of Servings: 8
- Time to Cook: 30 minutes
- WW Points Per Recipe: 64 total, 8 WW points per serving
INGREDIENTS IN COWBOY CASSEROLE
- 1 pound 90/10 lean ground beef: Ground beef is used for its robust flavor but feel free to use your meat of choice.
- 1/2 medium yellow onion: This delicious aromatic adds a subtle sweet flavor to the base of the dish.
- 3/4 cup canned corn: Corn is a nutritious addition to this casserole and is also a popular ingredient in Tex-Mex cuisine. This recipe calls for canned corn but you can also use frozen corn in its place.
- 3/4 cup canned kidney beans: Their mild nutty flavor pairs perfectly with the beef and tomatoes in this recipe.
- 2 teaspoons chili powder: This adds a warming element that gives this Cowboy casserole a flavor similar to that of red chili.
- 1 teaspoon sea salt: Salt brightens the flavors in the dish and balances the sweetness in the tomatoes.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Garlic powder complements the smokier spices and adds depth.
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin: Cumin adds a warm earthy spice that pairs well with chili powder.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper: Ground pepper creates a flavorful base.
- 1 (14.5-ounce can) diced tomatoes: Diced tomatoes give this dish a satisfying texture.
- 1 cup reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese: Cheese is melted on the tater tots for a delicious and browned topping.
- 1/2 cup light sour cream: Sour cream brightens the spice-heavy tomato sauce.
- 40 tater tots: Tater tots create the top layer in Cowboy Casserole. You can use plain or pre-seasoned tater tots for extra flavor.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING COWBOY CASSEROLE
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Brown the ground beef in a skillet or other heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Break the meat into bite-sized pieces and continue cooking until no pink remains.
2. Add the onions to the skillet with the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add the corn, beans, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the pan and mix.
4. Pour in the diced tomatoes and their juice.
5. Stir in the sour cream.
6. Scrape the ingredients into an 8×8-inch baking dish that’s been prepared with pan spray. Smooth the filling into an even layer.
7. Place the tater tots on top of the casserole dish, covering the filling as evenly as possible.
8. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the tater tots.
9. Place the dish into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the filling is bubbling at the sides and tater tots are browned and crispy. Serve warm.
Variations and Substitutions
- Swap the meat: This recipe uses lean beef but feel free to use chicken or turkey. If using meat with more fat, just be sure to drain it well after browning.
- Use different vegetables: Corn is used in this dish for its sweetness and versatility. Feel free to use extras you have on hand. Zucchini and even chopped spinach are easy add-ins.
- Tater tots: Feel free to use seasoned tater tots, crispy crowns, hash brown patties, or even cauliflower tots.
- For a creamy alternative: Instead of adding the liquid from the diced tomatoes, drain it. In its place, add a can of cream of mushroom soup. It will add lots of savory flavor and make the dish extra creamy.
- To decrease the WW points: If you’re looking to make a casserole with fewer points, you have a couple of options. For one, you can serve up a smaller portion. Alternatively, you can swap the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt. It will add the same tanginess but reduce points. You can also reduce or omit the cheese. Sour cream and cheese are the ingredients that add the most points to this meal.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MAKING COWBOY CASSEROLE
- Make a double batch and freeze: When you make this dish, double the recipe and freeze the extra half for a later meal. To freeze this dish, Mix all ingredients except tater tots. Place into a freezer-safe storage bag. Lay it flat to freeze for best results. When it’s time to defrost, leave it in the refrigerator overnight or place it into a bowl of cool water until it breaks apart. You can simply place it into a casserole dish, top with tater tots and cheese then bake as directed.
- Add fresh garnishes: Cowboy casserole is a warm and hearty dish. Adding a fresh element such as chopped cilantro or diced red onions can brighten up the meal.
- Serve alongside a salad: Casseroles don’t usually need side dishes since all the food groups are represented inside the dish. However, serving alongside a salad can be a refreshing and filling option. If you have some extra points, a side of healthy cornbread is also a tasty choice.
RELATED RECIPES
Cowboy Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound 90/10 lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 3/4 cup canned corn, drained
- 3/4 cup canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup light sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup reduced fat Mexican Blend cheese
- 40 tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Brown the ground beef in a skillet or other heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Break the meat into bite-sized pieces and continue cooking until no pink remains.
- Add the onions to the skillet with the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and juice.
- Add the corn, beans, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the pan and mix to combine.
- Stir in the sour cream.
- Scrape the ingredients into an 8×8-inch baking dish that’s been prepared with pan spray. Smooth the filling into an even layer.
- Place the tater tots on top of the casserole dish, covering the filling as evenly as possible.
- Sprinkle the cheese on top of the tater tots.
- Place the dish into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the filling is bubbling at the sides and tater tots are browned and crispy. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How many Weight Watcher points per serving?
8 ww points per serving.
How many points?
8 points per serving. Sorry I forgot to include it down in the recipe card. I updated it now.