Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef – A Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Delight
Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef – a cozy, comforting, and incredibly easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love! Layered with seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, crispy tater tots, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese. This classic hotdish is pure nostalgia in a baking dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Bake, Sauté
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag frozen tater tots (32 oz)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
- Add cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the beef. Stir to combine.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in a baking dish.
- Top with tater tots in a single layer.
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn) to the beef mixture.
- Substitute cream of chicken or cream of celery soup for the cream of mushroom.
- Add a layer of shredded cheese both under and on top of the tater tots for extra cheesiness.
- For a crispy topping, broil for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
- Use ground turkey or plant-based ground meat as a substitute for beef.
- Top with chopped green onions or fresh parsley before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- This casserole freezes well for up to 3 months – bake from frozen, adding 15-20 minutes to cooking time.