Simple and Delicious Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

This simple Tater Tot Casserole is a classic comfort food dish that is both easy to make and incredibly satisfying. It features layers of seasoned ground beef, a creamy sauce, and a crispy layer of golden-brown tater tots, all topped with melted cheese. As a staple in many households, especially in the Midwest where it’s often called a “hotdish,” this recipe is known for its simplicity and use of basic pantry ingredients.​

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Why Make This Recipe

You should make this recipe because it is a quick and delicious meal that the whole family will love. With a short preparation time, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a hearty and filling dinner without a lot of effort. It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that combines simple, inexpensive ingredients into a wonderfully flavorful and comforting casserole.​

How to Make Tater Tot Casserole

Making this casserole is straightforward. You will start by browning ground beef with onions and garlic in a skillet. Next, you’ll mix in condensed soup and seasonings to create a savory base. This mixture is then spread into a baking dish, layered with cheese, and topped with a single layer of frozen tater tots before being baked until bubbly and golden.​

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef​
• 1 small onion, chopped​
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic​
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup​
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided​
• 1 (32 ounce) bag frozen tater tots​
• Salt and pepper to taste​
• Optional: 1 (15 ounce) can of green beans or corn, drained​

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.​
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic until the beef is browned. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.​
3. Stir the can of condensed cream of mushroom soup into the ground beef mixture. Season with salt and pepper. If you are adding vegetables like green beans or corn, mix them in now.​
4. Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.​
5. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the meat layer.​
6. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top of the cheese.​
7. Bake, uncovered, for 35-45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.​
8. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.​

How to Serve Tater Tot Casserole

Serve this casserole hot, right out of the oven. It is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables. For an optional garnish, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley or scallions on top before serving.​

How to Store Tater Tot Casserole

Store any leftover Tater Tot Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire dish in the oven until warmed through.​

Tips to Make Tater Tot Casserole

For the best results, use lean ground beef to avoid a greasy casserole. Shredding your own block of cheddar cheese will result in a creamier, smoother melt compared to pre-shredded cheese. To ensure the tater tots get extra crispy, arrange them in a single layer and avoid overlapping them.​

Variations

This recipe is very versatile and can be easily adapted. You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. Instead of cream of mushroom soup, feel free to use cream of chicken, cream of celery, or a can of condensed cheddar cheese soup. You can also add different vegetables, such as a bag of frozen mixed peas and carrots, to the beef mixture.​

FAQs

Do I have to use ground beef?
No, you can easily substitute the ground beef with other ground meats like turkey or chicken for a lighter version of the casserole.​

What if I don’t have cream of mushroom soup?
Cream of mushroom is a classic choice, but you can use other condensed soups like cream of chicken or cheddar cheese soup depending on your preference.​

Should I thaw the tater tots before baking?
No, the frozen tater tots should be placed directly on top of the casserole. They will cook through and become crispy as the casserole bakes in the oven

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