Cowboy Casserole (Tater Tot Casserole with Tex-Mex Flavor)

This cowboy casserole is everything you want in a hearty, family-friendly dinner—savory ground beef, smoky chorizo, juicy corn, and a rich, creamy sauce all baked under a golden layer of crispy tater tots and melty cheese. It’s a little Tex-Mex, a little comfort food classic, and a whole lot of flavor. Best of all, this cheesy tater tot casserole comes together with just 10 minutes of prep time before the oven does the rest.

Why This Cowboy Casserole Is The Best

If you love Tex-Mex flavors and the ease of a one-pan bake, this tater tot cowboy casserole will quickly become a favorite. The combination of perfectly browned ground beef, spicy bits of chorizo, tender corn, crispy tater tots, and plenty of ooey-gooey cheese makes every bite irresistible.

What makes this cheesy tater tot casserole stand out is how easy it is to make. Simply brown the beef, stir in your flavorful mix-ins, transfer everything to a baking dish, and top with tater tots and cheese. In about 45 minutes, you’ll have a bubbly, golden-topped casserole that’s as satisfying as it is simple.

Because it’s mostly hands-off cooking, you have plenty of time to prep sides. I like to serve it with sweet potato cornbread, honey glazed carrots, or sauteed green beansfor a well-rounded meal. And while it’s hearty enough on its own, it’s also perfect for potlucks, game-day spreads, or make-ahead freezer meals.

Ingredients

Another thing I love about this cowboy casserole recipe is that the ingredient list is super simple. In fact, I can almost guarantee that you'll have almost everything you'll need to make it on hand already!

Anyway, here's what you'll need to make it: 

• ½ lb. ground beef
• 1 cup can corn, drained, rinsed
• 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded (plus extra for topping)
• ⅔ cup condensed cream of mushroom soup
• ¼ cup milk
• 3 tablespoon sour cream
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ cup chorizo sausage, chopped (or cooked and crumbled bacon)
• 28 oz. tater tots

Simple stuff, right?!

By the way, you can use a lot of these same ingredients to make this cowboy cornbread casserole recipe as well. It has the same delicious flavors as this recipe but with a little cornbread twist.

Oh, and if you have extra tater tots, you can use 'em up by making this tater tot breakfast casserole!

How To Make Cowboy Casserole

Step 1: Cook The Beef

First things first, you'll want to preheat your oven to 375°F. Then, you can take out a large skillet, put it over medium heat, and add a little oil to it.

Once the skillet is hot, you can add the ground beef to it and cook it for a few minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. You'll want to cook the beef until it has browned on all sides.

Then, after you've got the beef looking good, you can add the corn, shredded cheddar cheese, condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, onion powder, and chorizo or bacon to the skillet. Now give everything a good stir, give it a taste test, and adjust the seasonings as necessary.

Step 2: Assemble The Casserole

Ok, now that the casserole filling is all mixed together, you can transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Then, add the tater tots on top and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top of them.

Step 3: Bake The Casserole

Now that the casserole is assembled, you can put it in the oven and bake it for 40 minutes. Then, after that amount of time, you can pull it out, add more cheddar cheese on top of it, and let it bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is nice and bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown.

Finally, serve your cowboy casserole warm and enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Brown and season the meat well:
  Ground beef and chorizo are the flavor foundation here. Break the meat up finely as it cooks, season it generously with salt and pepper, and let it brown rather than steam. Browning creates those flavorful fond bits that will enrich the whole casserole.
• Drain excess fat before assembling:
  If your meat mix is too greasy, the extra fat can make the casserole heavy and soggy. Drain off most of the grease after cooking the beef and chorizo, but leave a little for flavor.
•  Layer strategically for maximum crisp:
  To keep your tater tots from getting soggy, spread the meat and sauce mixture evenly in the dish, then arrange the tots in a single layer on top. This way, they bake uncovered and get golden and crisp.
• Use a mix of cheeses for depth:
  Sharp cheddar gives you that classic melt, but blending in Colby Jack or Pepper Jack adds creaminess and a flavor kick. Shred it yourself for better melting—bagged cheese is coated with anti-caking agents that can make the casserole grainy.
• Keep the tater tots frozen until baking:
  Frozen tots brown more evenly and hold their shape better during baking. If they thaw first, they can absorb too much sauce and lose that crispy texture.
• Rest before serving:
  Let the casserole sit for about 5–10 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes it easier to cut and serve neat squares.
• Double for a crowd:
  If you’re cooking for a larger group, double the recipe and bake it in two 9×13 pans rather than one deep dish. This ensures even cooking and keeps the topping crisp.

Recipe Variations

One of the best things about this cowboy casserole is how easy it is to customize. With just a few swaps or add-ins, you can make a new version every time you serve it.

Swap the Ground Beef:
While ground beef gives this casserole a rich, classic flavor, it works just as well with other proteins. Try ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground pork for a lighter twist. For a vegetarian option—or to boost protein and fiber—add a can of drained pinto beans in place of the meat or along with it.

Experiment with Add-Ins:
Want to layer in more flavor? Mix in diced tomatoes, chili powder, pinto beans, or frozen veggies before baking. The chili powder adds Tex-Mex warmth, and the vegetables bring color and texture. My wife especially loves it when I add pinto beans—they make the casserole extra hearty.

Use Different Cheeses:
Cheddar cheese is my go-to for its sharp, melty goodness, but you can swap in or combine other cheeses. Colby Jack adds a mild, creamy flavor, while Pepper Jack turns up the heat. A half-and-half blend of cheddar and Colby Jack is one of my personal favorites for this meaty and cheesy tater tot casserole.

FAQS About This Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Can I make cowboy casserole ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the casserole up to the point of adding the tater tots, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add the tots on top and bake as directed, adding 5–10 minutes to the cook time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.

Can I freeze cowboy casserole?

Absolutely. You can freeze it before or after baking. For unbaked casserole, wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 350°F, adding extra time until hot and bubbly. For baked leftovers, cool completely before freezing, then reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Can I make this without tater tots?

Yes. You can swap the tots for a layer of mashed potatoes for a shepherd’s pie-style twist, or use hash browns for a thinner, crisper topping.

What can I serve with cowboy casserole?

It’s hearty enough to stand alone, but it pairs well with a fresh green salad, sautéed green beans, or cornbread. For a Tex-Mex twist, add a side of Mexican street corn or chips with salsa.

How do I keep the tater tots crispy when reheating?

Reheat in the oven or air fryer rather than the microwave. Bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes or air fry at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to bring back the crunch.

Final Thoughts

Well, that's how to make a cowboy casserole with tater tots! I know I'm a bit biased, but I really think this is one of the best Tex-Mex casserole recipes out there. From the rich and creamy sauce to the perfectly seasoned ground beef to the super crispy tater tots and melty cheese, it's just so, so good.

Honestly, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this cowboy casserole recipe as much as I/we do.  As always, if you give it a try, then be sure to leave a comment and let us know how it went!

More Easy Casserole Recipes

If you're in the mood for even more easy casserole recipes - like this cowboy casserole - then we have a ton on the blog for you to try next!

Here are some reader favorites:

• Pork chop casserole
• Big mac casserole
• Chile relleno casserole
• John Wayne casserole
• Cheeseburger tater tot casserole
• Chicken mushroom casserole
• Hamburger potato casserole

Oh, and as always, make sure to check us out on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! We post new recipes on them every day.