Description
Cowboy Mashed Potato Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish combining creamy mashed potatoes, savory ground beef, barbecue sauce, and crispy bacon.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pound russet potatoes
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup French fried onions
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels, chop it when cool, and reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cubed potatoes and cook until fork-tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the evaporated milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes until smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup of the chopped bacon and set the mashed potatoes aside.
- In the skillet with the reserved bacon fat, add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. Cook over medium heat, breaking up the beef, until it’s browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the corn, garlic, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together well.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish. Spread the beef mixture evenly in the dish. Spread the mashed potatoes over the beef layer. Top with the shredded cheddar cheese, the remaining chopped bacon, and the French fried onions.
- Place the baking dish on a baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted. Garnish with the fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
For a richer mashed potato base, use evaporated milk instead of regular milk or cream.
For a leaner version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for a vegetarian option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg