Description
Hearty cheesy tater tot casserole brings classic Midwestern comfort to dinner tables. Ground beef, crispy potato tots, and melted cheese create a simple, satisfying meal families will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
Supplementary Ingredients:
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 bag frozen tater tots
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 375F (190C), ensuring proper temperature for optimal cooking.
- In a skillet, thoroughly brown the ground beef, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance flavor profile.
- Create a creamy base by whisking together cream of mushroom soup, milk, and incorporating half of the cheddar cheese in a mixing bowl.
- Construct the casserole layers by evenly distributing the cooked beef across the bottom of a baking dish.
- Pour the prepared soup mixture over the beef, ensuring complete coverage.
- Meticulously arrange tater tots in a uniform single layer across the entire surface of the casserole.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for golden-brown crispy tater tots and bubbling edges.
- Generously sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing cheese to melt completely and become slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to set before serving hot.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains the hearty texture and protein content.
- Use low-fat cream of mushroom soup and reduced-fat cheese to create a lighter, healthier casserole without sacrificing flavor.
- Enhance nutrition by mixing in diced vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or spinach before layering the beef mixture for added vitamins and fiber.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve – perfect for meal prep or busy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg