Description
Hearty Cattle Drive Casserole brings cowboy comfort straight from ranch kitchens to dinner tables with robust beef, cheesy layers, and zesty southwestern flair. Rustic ingredients blend perfectly, delivering a satisfying meal that connects families around one delicious, spirited dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 (10 ounces/283 grams) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can ranch-style beans (or regular pinto beans, drained)
- 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can corn, drained
Dairy and Creaminess:
- 1 (8 ounces/226 grams) package cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 (10.5 ounces/298 grams) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 bag (about 8 ounces/226 grams) frozen tater tots
Garnish (Optional):
- Green onions or fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F, preparing a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Brown ground beef and onions in a large skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, thoroughly draining any excess fat.
- Incorporate frozen vegetables, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, sautéing for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Whisk cream of mushroom soup and sour cream together in a separate mixing bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Create the first potato layer across the bottom of the greased baking dish, ensuring even coverage.
- Distribute the seasoned beef and vegetable mixture uniformly over the potato base.
- Sprinkle the first portion of cheese generously across the meat layer.
- Pour the creamy soup mixture evenly over the existing layers, ensuring complete coverage.
- Arrange the remaining potato slices as the next layer, overlapping slightly for complete surface protection.
- Top with the remaining cheese, creating a complete dairy blanket.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter, then scatter the crispy topping across the casserole surface.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until potatoes become tender, cheese melts completely, and the top turns golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which helps set the layers and enhance flavor integration.
Notes
- Customize vegetable selection by using seasonal or favorite frozen mixed vegetables for added nutrition and flavor variety.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter or vegetarian version of the casserole.
- Use low-fat cream of mushroom soup and reduced-fat cheese to make a healthier, lower-calorie option without compromising taste.
- Consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to the breadcrumb topping for an extra layer of aromatic complexity and visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 527 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 730 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg