A flavorful and satisfying casserole packed with hearty ingredients, perfect for lunch or dinner. Nutritious, high in fiber, iron, and calcium, it's an excellent choice for families and friends. Ready in just 30 minutes—a must-try comfort-food dish.
Cook the macaroni pasta in a saucepan following the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
2
Chop the bacon into small pieces.
3
In a large skillet, cook ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic over medium heat until browned.
3
In a medium-sized saucepan, cook the lean ground beef over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it's browned.
4
Add the finely chopped onion to the saucepan, stirring and cooking until the onion softens.
4
Add the corn, condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, whole milk, sour cream, black pepper, and chopped bacon to the skillet, and mix well.
5
Stir in the ranch-style beans, barbecue sauce, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, tomato paste, and beef bouillon granules. Mix well.
5
Transfer the beef mixture to a 9x13-inch baking pan.
6
Add the cooked macaroni pasta to the saucepan and stir well to combine.
6
Cover the beef mixture with the remaining 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese.
7
Transfer the mixture to an ovenproof casserole dish, spreading it evenly, and top with the shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese.
7
Line the top of the casserole with tater tots.
8
Bake for 40-45 minutes, uncovered, until the tater tots are golden and crisp.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
9
Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving.