Cowboy Casserole Delight (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Meat & Proteins

01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 onion, diced
04 - 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
07 - 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
08 - Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

→ Dairy

09 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon cumin
12 - ½ teaspoon paprika
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
14 - 1 package (2.6 oz) ranch dressing mix (dry)

→ Frozen Foods

15 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Add the diced onion and bell pepper; cook until they are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
03 - Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Season the mixture with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
04 - Stir in black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes, combining well. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5-7 minutes.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef and vegetable mixture with the ranch dressing mix and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
06 - Spread the mixture evenly in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Top evenly with frozen tater tots.
07 - Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
09 - Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired before serving.

# Notes:

01 - This hearty casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking. Simply add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.