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Ground beef and potatoes cooked in red sauce in a round bowl.
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5 from 2 votes

Cowboy Casserole

This Cowboy Casserole is the perfect hearty dinner with beef, mushrooms, and tender potatoes. It's comforting, flavorful, and simple to make.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 35 minutes
Course: chicken, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Skill Level: Intermediate
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Rena

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

Optional:

  • fresh parsley to garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat a large pan over medium heat and cook the 1.5 pounds lean ground beef, mincing it with a wooden spoon.
    Cooked ground beef in a pot.
  • Once the beef is no longer pink, add in the 1 medium sweet onion, 1 pound button mushrooms, 4 garlic cloves, and seasonings (1 teaspoon cayenne powder, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, and Kosher salt).
    Cooked ground beef under uncooked mushrooms and spices in a large pot.
  • Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes. Add in the 15 ounces black beans, 13.6 ounces full-fat coconut milk, and the 14.5 ounces marinara sauce, and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to start bubbling.
    Pouring coconut milk over ingredients in a pot.
  • Carefully transfer the mixture to a deep lasagna casserole dish. Season the 1.5 pound potatoes (diced) with 1 1/2 teaspons garlic salt and 1/2 teaspon ground pepper, and stir well to coat.
    Ground beef and potatoes uncooked in red sauce in a baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the dish with the seasoned diced potatoes, gently pressing to nestle into the sauce.
  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
  • Remove the cover and continue to bake for 20 minutes, until it is brown.
    Ground beef and potatoes cooked in red sauce in a baking dish.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Notes

Tips & Tricks

  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 519kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 521mg | Potassium: 1792mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 443IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 8mg