Description

Listen up, partner — this is the kind of hearty, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food that would make any cowboy tip his hat. We’re talking seasoned ground beef, smoky beans, sweet corn, and crispy tots all baked together in one glorious pan with a blanket of melted cheese on top. It’s like someone took all the best parts of a BBQ cookout and smooshed them into casserole form. This bad boy feeds a crowd, uses one dish (hallelujah!), and tastes like it took way more effort than it actually did. Perfect for when you want maximum flavor with minimum cleanup — because ain’t nobody got time for a sink full of dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Base:

1 lb ground beef (80/20 is perfect here)

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 bell pepper, diced (any color works)

2 tbsp tomato paste

For the Cowboy Mix:

1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained

1 cup frozen corn (or fresh if you’re fancy)

1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

For the Top:

1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Mexican blend cheese, shredded

For Serving:

Sour cream

Green onions, sliced

Fresh cilantro, chopped

Hot sauce (because cowboys like it spicy)

Instructions

Step 1: Get That Oven Ready

Preheat to 400°F.

Grease a 9×13 baking dish or large cast iron skillet (if you’ve got one, use it — extra cowboy points).

Step 2: Brown That Beef

In your baking dish or a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks.

When it’s almost done, toss in the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook until veggies are softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Base

Add both beans, diced tomatoes, corn, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, brown sugar, and all your spices.

Mix everything together like you’re stirring up magic.

Let it simmer for 5 minutes to let flavors get acquainted. Taste and adjust seasoning.

If you cooked this in a separate skillet, transfer to your baking dish now.

Step 4: Crown It with Tots

Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture. They should cover most of the surface.

Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until tots are golden and crispy.

Step 5: Cheese Please

Pull it out and sprinkle both cheeses evenly over the tots.

Pop back in for 5-10 minutes until cheese is melty and bubbly.

Step 6: Saddle Up and Serve

Let it rest for 5 minutes (trust me, it’s lava hot).

Top with sour cream, green onions, cilantro, and hot sauce.

Grab a fork and dig in like the cowboy you are.

Notes

Serve with a simple coleslaw or green salad to cut through the richness.

Cornbread on the side is basically mandatory.

Cold beer or sweet tea — dealer’s choice.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: ~485 kcal
Carbohydrates: ~38g
Protein: ~22g