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