Hearty Cowboy Casserole
This hearty, loaded casserole combines savory pork sausage, creamy cheese sauce, and crispy tater tots for the ultimate comfort food experience. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for busy weeknights, this one-dish wonder delivers bold flavors and satisfying textures that'll have everyone coming back for seconds.
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Servings: 8
Calories: 485kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork sausage
- 15 1/4 ounces whole kernel corn drained
- 1 10 1/4 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
- 8 ounces monterey jack pepper cheese shredded and divided
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 medium onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cups frozen tater tots
- 1/2 cup diced Rotel tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- 1/4 cup sliced olives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Place tater tots in the bottom of a casserole dish and put in cold oven while it preheats. Cook until halfway done, about 15-20 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- In a medium skillet, cook pork sausage over medium heat until browned. Remove sausage and set aside. Drain most grease, leaving a small amount in pan.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic to skillet. Cook until soft, about 4 minutes.
- Return sausage to skillet with onions and garlic. Add Rotel tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and cook until most liquid evaporates.
- Add sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, drained corn, half of the cheese, and milk. Stir well and cook until cheese melts completely.
- Transfer cheesy meat mixture to the bottom of the casserole dish. Sprinkle with olives and half of the remaining cheese.
- Layer tater tots on top, pressing down slightly to anchor them in the mixture. Top with remaining cheese and chives.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbling around edges and center.
Notes
Can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before final baking
Substitute ground beef or turkey for pork sausage if preferred
Regular Monterey Jack cheese can replace pepper jack for milder flavor
Frozen hash browns work as tater tot substitute
Add jalapeños for extra heat
Leftovers keep in refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat well
Nutrition
Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 1245mg | Potassium: 485mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g