Quick & Hearty Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe for Cozy Nights

Cattle drive casserole brings hearty comfort straight from ranch kitchens to your dinner table.

Cowboy-inspired ingredients create a robust meal that fills hungry bellies quickly.

Rustic flavors blend perfectly with simple, straightforward cooking techniques.

Ranch-style cooking means maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

Layers of ground beef, pasta, and zesty seasonings promise a delicious adventure.

Simple ingredients combine to craft a meal that tells stories of western landscapes.

You’ll love how easily this dish comes together for a satisfying dinner.

Saddle up and get ready to experience a true southwestern classic!

Remix Variations For Cattle Drive Casserole

• Vegetarian Southwest Casserole: Replace ground beef with black beans or plant-based crumbles, keeping the same spicy flavor profile and layering technique.
• Low-Carb Ranch Bake: Swap tater tots with cauliflower florets or zucchini slices for a lighter, keto-friendly version that maintains the casserole's hearty essence.
• Gluten-Free Tex-Mex Comfort: Use gluten-free taco seasoning and cream of mushroom soup, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free while preserving the original recipe's robust taste.
• Spicy Chicken Ranch Casserole: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken, adding a different protein option that complements the existing seasonings and cheese topping.

Serving Cattle Drive Casserole

• Hearty Ranch Feast: Serve this casserole with a fresh green salad topped with ranch dressing for a balanced meal that cuts through the rich, meaty flavors.
• Tex-Mex Fiesta Plate: Accompany the dish with warm tortillas, fresh salsa, and sliced jalapeños to enhance the southwestern-style taste profile and add extra zest.
• Game Day Spread: Transform this casserole into a crowd-pleasing appetizer by cutting into smaller squares and serving with toothpicks at casual gatherings or sports watch parties.
• Comfort Food Combo: Pair with a cold beer or crisp iced tea to complement the savory, cheesy goodness of this satisfying one-pan meal.

Storing Cattle Drive Casserole

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the casserole covered to retain moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Use shallow containers to help the casserole cool faster and promote even cooling throughout the dish.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in Cattle Drive Casserole?

The key ingredients include ground beef, tater tots, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, diced tomatoes, Rotel, taco seasoning, onions, and cheddar cheese.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild to moderate spice level from the Rotel and taco seasoning, which adds a subtle kick without being overwhelmingly hot.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole in advance and refrigerate it before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

Cattle Drive Casserole Hearty Dinner

• Satisfy Comfort Food Cravings: Dive into a hearty, soul-warming dish that brings together classic ingredients in a mouthwatering casserole packed with rich flavors and textures.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Prepare this one-pan wonder with minimal prep work, making it a go-to solution for busy families seeking a delicious and filling meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Combine crowd-pleasing elements like ground beef, tater tots, and melted cheese that appeal to both children and adults, ensuring everyone at the table leaves satisfied.
• Quick and Easy Assembly: Throw together this recipe with basic ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for home cooks of all skill levels who want a no-fuss dinner option that delivers maximum taste.

Ingredients For Cattle Drive Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the delicious base of this casserole.
• Tater Tots or Sliced Potatoes: Crispy potato layer that adds texture and comfort to the dish.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts beautifully and provides rich flavor.

• Onions: Sweet aromatics that enhance the ground beef's flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes, Rotel: Tangy and spicy ingredients that add moisture and zest.
• Taco Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Spice blend that gives the casserole its robust southwestern taste.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Smooth sauce that helps bind the ingredients together.
• Sour Cream: Adds creamy richness and a slight tanginess to the dish.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and providing a light cooking base.

How To Prepare Cattle Drive Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius) to get ready for this cowboy-style comfort meal.

Step 2: Sizzle The Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Toss in diced onions and cook until they turn soft and translucent. Add ground beef and brown it completely, breaking up the meat into small crumbles.

Drain off any excess grease.

Step 3: Build The Flavor Base

• Diced tomatoes
• Rotel tomatoes
• Taco seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

Step 4: Create The Creamy Sauce

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Sour cream

Fold this creamy mixture into the beef mixture until everything is well combined.

Step 5: Layer The Casserole

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom of the pan. Top with a layer of tater tots or sliced potatoes, creating a hearty base.

Step 6: Add The Cheesy Crown

Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.

Step 7: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

You’re looking for a bubbly, golden-brown top with melted cheese.

Step 8: Rest And Serve

Let the casserole cool for a few minutes to set.

Serve up this frontier-inspired feast and watch everyone dig in!

Tricks For Tender Cattle Drive Casserole

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter version of this hearty casserole.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium taco seasoning and opting for reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup.
• Enhance flavor by adding diced bell peppers or jalapeños to the beef mixture for extra kick and nutrition.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or Mexican blend to create unique taste profiles.
• Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and making mealtime easier.

Mouthwatering Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Cattle Drive Casserole showcases rustic Texan comfort cooking with ground beef, potatoes, and cheese. Ranch-style ingredients blend seamlessly for a satisfying meal you’ll savor down to the last comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning

Dairy and Cheese:

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 10.5 ounces (298 grams) cream of mushroom soup

Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 onion, diced
• 14.5 ounces (411 grams) diced tomatoes
• 10 ounces (283 grams) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
• 4 cups frozen tater tots (or sliced potatoes)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a greased 9×13-inch baking dish for the casserole.
2. In a large skillet, sauté diced onions in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and soft.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet, cooking thoroughly until completely browned. Carefully drain any excess fat.
4. Incorporate diced tomatoes, Rotel, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes, developing rich flavors.
5. Separately whisk cream of mushroom soup with sour cream until smooth and well combined.
6. Pour the creamy soup mixture into the beef, stirring until fully integrated and creating a cohesive filling.
7. Spread the beef and soup mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
8. Arrange tater tots or sliced potatoes in a uniform layer over the beef mixture.
9. Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the entire surface of the casserole.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, watching for bubbling edges and golden-brown cheese.
11. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help set the casserole.

Notes

• Customize the heat level by choosing mild or spicy Rotel tomatoes to match your preferred spice tolerance.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version of the casserole.
• Prep tater tots in advance by partially baking them for extra crispiness before adding to the casserole.
• Consider adding diced bell peppers or jalapeños to boost vegetable content and introduce more flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 452 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg