Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole: A Hearty Comfort Food Delight

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 cup diced bell peppers (red and green mix)
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Tex-Mex blend)
• 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
• 1 cup sour cream
• to taste salt and pepper
• for garnish fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add the chopped red onion and bell peppers to the skillet and sauté for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
4. Stir in the black beans, corn, taco seasoning, and salsa. Mix well and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spread the beef and veggie mixture evenly across the bottom.
6. Spoon dollops of sour cream across the top of the mixture.
7. Carefully arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the sour cream layer.
8. Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the tater tots.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
10. Once out of the oven, let it sit for a few minutes before garnishing with fresh cilantro if desired.