The Ultimate Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole With Ground Beef Recipe

Crafting a hearty ground beef tater tot casserole brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Layers of savory meat mingle with crispy potato nuggets in this classic midwestern dish.

Cheese melts luxuriously between each golden-brown tot, creating irresistible pockets of flavor.

Simple ingredients combine to produce a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this no-fuss, crowd-pleasing recipe.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly everything comes together in one delicious pan.

Jump into this culinary adventure and watch everyone ask for seconds.

Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef Guide

• Devour Comfort Classics: This hearty casserole brings pure comfort food magic with its layers of savory ground beef, creamy sauce, and crispy tater tots that everyone in the family will absolutely love.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Perfect for busy households, this one-pan wonder requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor, making dinner time stress-free and delicious.
• Customize with Ease: Swap vegetables, experiment with different cheese types, or add extra seasonings to make this recipe totally your own without complicated cooking techniques.
• Kid-Approved Meal: Children will go crazy for the crunchy tater tot topping and cheesy goodness, turning mealtime into a celebration that pleases even the pickiest eaters.

Ingredients for Tater Tot Ground Beef Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides the savory base for this comforting casserole.
• Tater Tots: Crispy potato nuggets that create a delicious golden-brown topping.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: A creamy binding ingredient that adds rich flavor and moisture to the dish.

• Sour Cream: Adds a tangy richness and helps create a creamy texture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Provides a sharp, melty layer of cheesy goodness.

• Onion, Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Add extra nutrition and depth of flavor to the casserole.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.

How to Prepare Tater Tot Ground Beef Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready for the delicious casserole.

Step 2: Sizzle The Beef

Cook ground beef with diced onions in a skillet over medium heat, making sure to drain any extra grease for a cleaner, tastier dish.

• Ground beef
• Onions

Step 3: Create A Creamy Base

Stir in cream of mushroom soup and sour cream into the beef mixture, blending everything until smooth and well combined.

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Sour cream

Step 4: Add Veggie Goodness

Mix in frozen mixed vegetables and sprinkle with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.

• Frozen mixed vegetables
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 5: Layer The Casserole

Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly across a baking dish, creating a delicious foundation.

Step 6: Cheese And Potato Topping

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the beef layer, then carefully arrange frozen tater tots on top for a crispy finish.

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Frozen tater tots

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the tater tots turn golden brown and crispy.

Step 8: Serve And Savor

Remove from the oven and serve hot, ready to delight everyone at the table.

Tips for Tater Tot Ground Beef Casserole

• Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure crispy tater tots.
• Swap cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken for a different flavor profile if desired.
• Customize the vegetable mix based on family preferences or seasonal availability.
• Add a sprinkle of garlic powder or paprika to enhance the overall taste and depth of the dish.
• Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and make the casserole slightly healthier.

Flavor Twists for Tater Tot Ground Beef Casserole

• Vegetarian Veggie Swap: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, keeping the same creamy texture and vegetable mix for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure tater tots are gluten-free certified, making the casserole safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced green chiles, taco seasoning, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to create a zesty, southwestern-inspired casserole with a kick.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute tater tots with roasted cauliflower florets and use cauliflower rice instead of traditional vegetables for a lower-carb option.

Serving Suggestions for Tater Tot Ground Beef Casserole

• Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this hearty casserole with a fresh green salad to balance the rich, comforting flavors and add some crisp texture to the meal.
• Potluck Party Pleaser: Bring this crowd-pleasing dish to gatherings, where it's sure to be a hit with both kids and adults who love classic comfort food with minimal prep time.
• Game Night Fuel Station: Perfect for sports watching or movie marathons, this casserole offers a satisfying one-dish meal that keeps everyone full and happy without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Leftovers Lunch Makeover: Pack remaining portions for next day's lunch, which reheats beautifully and provides a warm, filling midday meal that beats boring sandwiches.

Storing Tater Tot Ground Beef Casserole

• Refrigerate leftover tater tot casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days for best quality and food safety.
• Keep the casserole in a sealed container to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Avoid storing at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even plant-based ground meat for a different flavor and dietary preference.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, cream of mushroom soup typically contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup or a homemade alternative.

• Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

• What if I don't have frozen mixed vegetables?

No problem. You can use fresh or canned vegetables like corn, peas, carrots, or green beans as a replacement.

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole With Ground Beef Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Tater Tot Casserole satisfies comfort food cravings with layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy sauce, and crispy potato tots. Midwestern home cooking shines through this simple, crowd-pleasing dish you’ll savor with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 package (32 ounces / 907 grams) frozen tater tots
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Vegetable and Aromatics:

• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 small onion, chopped

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) for optimal cooking temperature.
2. Sauté ground beef and diced onions in a skillet over medium heat, carefully draining any accumulated fat to ensure a lean mixture.
3. Incorporate cream of mushroom soup and sour cream into the meat, stirring until thoroughly combined and creating a creamy base.
4. Gently fold frozen mixed vegetables into the meat mixture, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
5. Transfer the prepared mixture into a baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer for consistent cooking.
6. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese across the meat mixture, providing a rich and melty foundation.
7. Meticulously arrange frozen tater tots in a precise, overlapping pattern to cover the entire surface of the casserole.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the tater tots transform into a crispy, golden-brown topping.
9. Remove from oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving to help the casserole set and maintain its structure.
10. Serve immediately while hot, ensuring each portion captures the delightful combination of crispy tots, creamy sauce, and savory beef.

Notes

• Drain the ground beef thoroughly to prevent a soggy casserole base, ensuring crispy tater tots and concentrated flavors.
• Customize vegetable mix by adding seasonal or favorite vegetables like bell peppers or corn for extra nutrition and color.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for healthier protein options that cater to different dietary preferences.
• Consider sprinkling extra cheese or crushed crackers on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for an enhanced crispy texture and richer taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 539 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 740 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg