Cowboy Casserole (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Protein & Base

01 - 6 strips bacon, cut into small pieces
02 - 1 pound lean ground beef
03 - 32 ounces frozen tater tots

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

04 - 1/2 medium onion, chopped
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 (14 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 (12 ounce) can corn, drained
08 - 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies

→ Seasonings & Binding

09 - 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning
10 - 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
11 - 1/2 cup sour cream
12 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
13 - Salt & pepper to taste
14 - Chopped scallions for serving (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the rack in the top third of the oven.
02 - Add the bacon pieces to a large skillet over medium heat and cook until crispy, about 10 minutes. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, but leave the bacon fat in the pan.
03 - Add the ground beef and chopped onions to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the beef with your spoon, until the meat is browned and the onions have softened, about 7-8 minutes. Drain most of the excess fat from the pan.
04 - Add the minced garlic and taco seasoning to the skillet. Stir and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Turn off the heat and add the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, drained black beans, drained corn, diced green chilies, half of the cooked bacon pieces, and about 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix everything together thoroughly.
06 - Transfer the mixture from the skillet to a 9x13 inch casserole dish, spreading it in an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon pieces over the top, then arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer covering the entire surface.
07 - Bake the casserole uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are nicely browned and the cheese is hot and bubbly. For extra crispiness, you can broil for a few minutes at the end, watching carefully to prevent burning.
08 - Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle with chopped scallions if desired, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste before serving.

# Notes:

01 - This hearty Cowboy Casserole combines crispy tater tots with savory ground beef and bacon in a flavorful Tex-Mex inspired dish that's perfect for family dinners.
02 - Many ingredients in this recipe can be quite salty, so consider using low-sodium versions of the taco seasoning, soup, and beans if you're sensitive to salt.

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