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Hearty Baked Cowboy Casserole

Savor the Comfort of Hearty Baked Cowboy Casserole Tonight

Hearty Baked Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, combining rich flavors and simple ingredients for a crowd-pleasing experience.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner Ideas
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Mixture
  • 1 lb Lean ground beef
  • 1 lb Pork sausage breakfast sausage or mild Italian
  • 1 medium Yellow onion finely chopped
  • 1 medium Green bell pepper chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
For the Beans and Sauce
  • 15 oz Baked beans in tomato sauce canned
  • 15 oz Kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz Pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 14.5 oz Diced tomatoes undrained
  • 10.5 oz Cream of mushroom soup
  • 0.5 cup Beef broth or water
  • 0.5 cup Barbecue sauce
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Yellow or Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Chili powder adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • to taste Salt and black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes optional
For the Cheesy Topping
  • 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 cups Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese shredded
Other Essentials
  • 1 cup Frozen corn kernels thawed
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil or vegetable oil for sautéing
  • as needed Cooking spray or butter to grease the baking dish
For the Topping
  • 1 pkg Refrigerated biscuit dough or buttermilk biscuits
  • 32 oz Frozen tater tots optional topping
  • 2 tablespoon Melted butter optional
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder optional
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika optional
For Serving
  • 1 cup Sour cream optional
  • 0.25 cup Sliced green onions or chives optional
  • to taste Pickled jalapeños optional
  • 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro or parsley chopped
  • as needed Extra barbecue sauce or hot sauce optional

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • 9 x 13-inch baking dish
  • mixing bowl

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
  2. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and pork sausage, cooking for about 6–8 minutes until browned.
  3. Add the chopped yellow onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30–60 seconds.
  4. Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  5. Gently stir in baked beans with their sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans, and diced tomatoes. Add thawed corn and mix well.
  6. In a bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, beef broth or water, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard until smooth. Pour into the skillet and stir until combined.
  7. Allow the mixture to simmer over medium-low heat for about 5–7 minutes, adjusting seasonings as necessary.
  8. Pour the cowboy mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the top.
  9. Arrange refrigerated biscuit dough or frozen tater tots on top of the cheese layer.
  10. Bake for 25–30 minutes for biscuits or 30–35 minutes for tater tots, until golden and filling bubbles.
  11. Let the casserole rest for 10–15 minutes before serving, allowing it to thicken.
  12. Serve with optional garnishes like sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, or fresh herbs, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 10gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 20mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat as needed.

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