Recipe of The Month - Cowboy Casserole
Meet your new favorite "warm up and chill out" meal...
With a creamy beef filling and a cheesy tater tot topping, this skillet dinner is sure to make a regular appearance in your weeknight rotation. Any recipe that starts with crisping bacon then cooking onions in the bacon fat is bound to be delicious. With easy prep and a 30-minute bake, dinner can be on the table in less than an hour. Plus, because there's corn and spinach in the filling, there's no need for any additional sides.
Ingredients
- 4 strips of bacon (about 3 oz.)
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 lb. ground sirloin
- 1 10.75 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- 3/4 c. milk
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 3/4 tsp. ground black pepper, divided
- 3 c. baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 c. frozen corn
- 8 oz. shredded cheddar or Colby jack cheese
- 1 32 oz bag of tater tots
- 1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
- Chopped chives or scallions, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Remove the tater tots from the freezer to let them thaw slightly while you prepare the filling. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until golden brown and extra crispy, 6-8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and leave the grease in the skillet. Set all of the bacon aside for topping later.
- Add the onion to the skillet and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute. Add the ground beef and break into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook the meat until no pink pieces remain, 6-8 minutes. Drain off excess fat or liquid, if you like. Remove skillet from the heat. Stir in the soup, milk, salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper and mix until smooth. Fold in the spinach to wilt slightly, then the corn.
- Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the tater tots on top in a single layer, arranging them in concentric circles (or just toss them on and push them very close together.) Sprinkle the top with parmesan cheese and the additional 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Bake 30-35 minutes until the tater tots are golden. Remove from the oven and crumble the cooked bacon over top. Let rest 5 minutes. Top with chopped chives or scallions and serve.
SOURCE: thepioneerwoman.com
So simple to make at home and 1000% worth the little effort it requires.
The Summer Go Bag: A Tiny Kit That Saves the Day Summer has a way of making “quick little outings” turn into full-blown adventures. A trip to the pool becomes dinner on the way home. A Saturday errand turns into a stop at the park. A lake day somehow requires 47 items, three snacks, and at least one person asking, “Did anyone bring sunscreen?” Enter: The Summer Go Bag . It doesn’t have to be fancy. It doesn’t have to be perfectly organized. It’s just a small tote, backpack, bin, or canvas bag you keep stocked with the little things that make summer life easier. Think of it as your warm-weather backup plan. What to put in your Summer Go Bag: Sunscreen + bug spray Because nothing ruins a good day faster than realizing you needed both about two hours ago. Reusable water bottles Keep one or two empty bottles in the bag, or toss in a couple of bottles of water before you leave. A small first-aid kit Bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever, allergy medicine, and any must-have family basics. Phone charger or power bank Especially helpful for road trips, long days out, or those “I swear my phone was at 42% five minutes ago” moments. Wet wipes + tissues For sticky hands, spilled drinks, mystery car messes, and every parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle who has learned the hard way. A lightweight towel or blanket Great for parks, wet seats, surprise splash pads, outdoor concerts, or impromptu picnics. A few snacks Granola bars, crackers, trail mix, fruit snacks — anything that can survive a little heat and prevent a hunger-related family incident. Plastic bags or a small trash bag For wet swimsuits, muddy shoes, snack wrappers, or anything you don’t want touching the rest of your car. Spare sunglasses or a hat Simple, useful, and always appreciated when someone forgets theirs. Pet basics, if applicable A leash, collapsible water bowl, waste bags, and a small towel can make pet-friendly outings much easier. Where to keep it: Your car is usually the easiest spot, especially if you’re often on the go. If your vehicle gets too hot, keep heat-sensitive items like sunscreen, medicine, and snacks inside the house and toss them in before you leave. You can also make a smaller version for: Pool bags Lake bags Sports practices Road trips Grandkid days Dog park visits The real trick: Restock when you get home The Go Bag only works if it’s ready when you need it. After a busy weekend, take two minutes to replace what you used: snacks, wipes, sunscreen, bandages, water bottles, or plastic bags. That tiny reset makes the next outing so much easier. Summer should feel a little more spontaneous — and a little less like you’re packing for an expedition every time you leave the house. A simple Go Bag won’t solve everything, but it might just save the day.
Insurance can be confusing — and most people have questions they feel like they should already know the answer to.
Seven quick things you can do in minutes to improve the rest of your year!
Skillet Chicken With Mexican Green Rice & Salsa Macha
Insurance can be confusing — and most people have questions they feel like they should already know the answer to.
Insurance can be confusing — and most people have questions they feel like they should already know the answer to.
The easiest 15-minute recipe!
“Home Inventory in 30 Minutes: The Thing You’ll Be Glad You Did”
Includes: phone video walkthrough method, where to store it, high-value items scheduling, receipts/photos and downloadable checklist for home inventory.
January 2026
