Cowboy Casserole
Liz Gibbs • December 16, 2025
One Skillet Family Meal!
Ingredients
- 1 (32-oz.) bag of tater tots
- 4 strips of bacon (about 3 oz.)
-1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 lb. ground sirloin
- 1 (10.75-oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 3/4 tsp. ground black pepper, divided
- 3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 8 oz. shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Chopped chives or scallions, for topping
Directions
1 Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Remove the tater tots from the freezer to let them thaw slightly while you prepare the filling.
2 Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until golden brown and extra crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the grease in the skillet.
3 Add the onion to the skillet with the grease and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until no pink pieces remain, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off the excess fat, if you like. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the soup, milk, salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper; mix until smooth. Fold in the spinach to wilt slightly. Stir in the corn.
4 Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the tater tots on top in a single layer, arranging them in concentric circles (or just toss them on and push them very close together). Sprinkle the top with the parmesan cheese and the additional 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
5 Bake until he tater tots are golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and crumble the cooked bacon over top. Let rest 5 minutes. Top with chopped chives or scallions and serve.
Sweet and Savory Combined in One Kabob
A new way to make everyone's favorite summertime dish!
Ingredients: Burger Sauce - 1/4 cup mayonnaise - 2 Tbsp. ketchup - 1 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish - 1 Tbsp. yellow mustard - 1 tsp. hot sauce Smash Burger Tacos - 1 lb. ground beef - 6 (5") flour tortillas - 2 tsp. store-bought or homemade burger seasoning - Kosher salt - 6 Tbsp. neutral oil, divided - 6 slices American cheese, divided - 18 thin bread-and-butter pickle slices - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce - 3 Tbsp. chopped yellow onion - White sesame seeds, for serving Directions S Burger Sauce Step 1 - In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, mustard, and hot sauce until combined. Step 2 - Make Ahead: Sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Cover bowl and refrigerate. Smash Burger Tacos Step 1 - Divide beef into 6 portions about 2 1/2 ounces each. Top each tortilla with a portion of beef. Using a fork, flatten beef on top of tortilla into an even layer, leaving a 1/2" border. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon burger seasoning; season with a pinch of salt. Step 2 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons oil and swirl pan to coat. Arrange 2 tacos beef side down and press into skillet to flatten with a sturdy spatula or burger press. Cook, undisturbed, until beef is browned and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip tacos, top each with a slice of cheese, and cook until cheese is slightly melty, about 1 minute more. Transfer to a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining 4 burger tacos. Step 3 - Top each taco with burger sauce, pickles, lettuce, onion, and sesame seeds.
