Description
Cheesy tater tot casserole delivers comfort through layers of crispy potatoes and melted cheese. Ground beef and creamy sauce create a hearty midwest classic that satisfies hungry families with simple, delicious ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 package frozen tater tots
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sizzle ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, infusing with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Eliminate excess grease thoroughly.
- Whisk cream of mushroom soup with milk, blending in half of the cheese mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Construct casserole layers by spreading seasoned beef across the baking dish’s bottom, creating an even foundation.
- Cascade soup-cheese blend uniformly over beef, ensuring complete coverage.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in precise rows across the entire surface, creating a crispy protective layer.
- Slide into preheated oven at 375F (190C), roasting for 30-35 minutes until tots transform into golden-brown sentinels.
- Scatter remaining cheese across the landscape, returning to oven for additional 5-10 minutes until cheese melts into a luxurious blanket.
- Extract bubbling casserole, allowing brief cooling moment before serving piping hot directly from baking dish.
Notes
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure crispy tater tots.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
- Add diced vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to boost nutritional value and create more complex flavor layers.
- Use low-sodium soup and cheese to control salt intake for heart-healthy diets.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg