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Cast iron skillet of cowboy casserole with golden tater tots and melted cheddar, photographed from above for a family dinner.

Cowboy Casserole

A one skillet bake of seasonedground beef, pinto and black beans, and corn in a thick tomato sauce, coveredwith cheddar and crispy tater tots.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern, Tex-Mex
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lb ground beef 85 percent lean
  • 1 diced medium yellow onion
  • 1 diced green bell pepper
  • 3 minced garlic cloves
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can, 15 oz pinto beans
  • 1 can, 15 oz black beans, both drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 can, 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar divided
  • 1 bag, 24 oz frozen tater tots
To serve
  • 2 sliced scallions
  • sour cream

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Brown the beef in a 12 inch oven safe skillet for 7 to 8 minutes, until no pink remains. Spoon off all but 2 tablespoons of fat.
  2. Cook the onion and pepper for 5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic for 30 seconds.
  3. Fry the tomato paste and spices for 90 seconds, until the paste turns brick red.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce, broth, and Worcestershire, scraping up the browned bits.
  5. Add the beans and corn. Simmer with the lid cracked for 8 minutes, until a spoon leaves a trail.
  6. Remove from the heat and cover with 1 cup of cheddar.
  7. Arrange the frozen tots in tight rows over the cheese.
  8. Bake 30 minutes, add the remaining cheddar, and bake 5 more minutes until the tots are golden.
  9. Rest 10 minutes, then serve with scallions and sour cream.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate in airtight containers within 2 hours for up to 4 days. Reheat to 165°F at 375°F in the oven. Freeze only the filling, up to 3 months.
Allergens: Contains dairy and may contain gluten and soy. See the allergen section for substitutions.
Notes: Use the tots straight from the freezer and reduce the sauce until it trails off a spoon.