Cowboy Casserole

Name: Cowboy Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 95 min
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds lean ground beef; 1 medium sweet onion (diced); 1 pound button mushrooms (cleaned and halved); 4 garlic cloves (minced); 1 teaspoon cayenne powder (or to taste); 1 teaspoon ground coriander; Kosher salt (or to taste); 15 ounces black beans (one can, drained and rinsed); 13.6 ounces full-fat coconut milk ( 1/2 can ); 14.5 ounces marinara sauce (one can); 1.5 pound potatoes (diced into small 1/2-inch cubes (Important! Otherwise it will take forever to cook)); 1 1/2 teaspons garlic salt; 1/2 teaspon ground pepper; fresh parsley (to garnish)

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This Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, packed with savory beef, veggies, and tender potatoes. It’s like a warm hug in a dish—hearty, flavorful, and totally satisfying. This recipe will quickly become your go-to dinner for busy nights or lazy weekends.

Ground beef and potatoes cooked in red sauce in a casserole dish.

Cowboy Casserole is a popular dish, especially in the colder months when you need something filling and cozy. This casserole pairs perfectly with a mixed berry salad or cucumber avocado feta salad. I love the comforting combination of ground beef and potatoes, and my kids love anything I make involving ground beef. They also really love this ground beef and rice dish that I make at least twice a month.

Recipe Overview

Skill Level

Intermediate

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

1 hr 20 mins

Before you get started

Perfectly diced potatoes: Make sure to dice your potatoes into small 1/2-inch cubes to ensure they cook evenly and don’t take forever to bake.
Don’t skip the foil: Covering the casserole with foil helps the potatoes cook through. Remove it near the end to get that golden, crispy finish.
Customize the heat: Adjust the cayenne powder to your preferred spice level—add more for a spicier dish or skip it if you’re feeding little ones.

Ingredients needed

This dish is full of hearty ingredients that come together to make a filling, flavorful casserole. Here’s what you’ll need:

Lean ground beef: The base of the dish, adding rich flavor and protein. I like to use the leanest ground beef I can get my hands on.
Sweet onion: For a subtle sweetness that balances the savory beef. Cooking onions will work too.
Button mushrooms: A perfect earthy addition that adds depth to the casserole.
Garlic: Because, let’s face it, garlic makes everything better!
Seasonings: Cayenne powder, Ground coriander, Kosher salt, Garlic salt, and pepper.
Black beans: Adding a nice texture and a bit of protein to round things out.
Full-fat coconut milk: For a creamy texture and subtle coconut flavor that blends beautifully with the beef.
Marinara sauce: The tomato-based sauce ties everything together with its tangy goodness.
Potatoes: Small diced potatoes that bake perfectly in the casserole for that essential heartiness.
Optional garnish: Fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

How to make cowboy casserole

This recipe is simple to prepare and makes for a fantastic family dinner. Here’s how to put it all together:

1️⃣ Cook the ground beef

First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, you want to cook the ground beef first in whatever skillet you have. No need to add any oil.

✏️ No need to add any oil, and just use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to break up the meat. Also, if you want to preheat the oven after you have cooked the meat base, thats fine too.

process shot to make the beef base by adding coconut milk and marinara sauce.

2️⃣ Prepare the Beef base

Add the onions, mushrooms, and spices, and cook until they’re soft. Stir in the beans, coconut milk, and marinara sauce and bring to a simmer

✏️ Keep this at a medium heat.

process shot to add everything in the casserole dish and baking it.

3️⃣ Add everything to the casserole dish

Pour the meat mixture into the casserole dish, top with the seasoned potatoes, and either mix the ingredients together to combine everything evenly, or you can just press down the potatoes a bit and evenly spread them out.

✏️ Keep the potato chunks the same size so they bake evenly. At this point, if you like, you can throw in some veggies like chopped cauliflower or zucchini.

4️⃣ Bake and serve

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. If you want that crispy golden brown potato look and feel, uncover the dish and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Variations and Substitutions

Add more veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to sneak in some extra nutrients.
Top with cheese: For a cheesy twist, sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella on top before the final 20 minutes of baking.
Swap the meat: Try using ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version of this dish.
Spice it up: Add some jalapeños for an extra kick if you like your meals fiery.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free potatoes or rice if you’re looking for a gluten-free version.
Dairy-free option: Use almond milk or a non-dairy cream substitute instead of coconut milk if you need to make this dairy-free.
Ground meat alternatives: Use plant-based ground meat or lentils for a vegetarian take on this recipe.
Low-carb: Swap out potatoes for cauliflower florets if you’re following a low-carb or keto diet.

Ground beef and potatoes cooked in red sauce in a casserole dish with a serving spoon.

Make-ahead and storage

You can make this cowboy casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat it in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months—just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. To reheat from frozen, bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes or until heated through.