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Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

4.6 from 69 reviews

This Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring seasoned ground beef and vegetables layered with creamy soup and topped with crispy golden tater tots. It’s an easy oven-baked meal perfect for family dinners and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 2 cups finely diced onion (about 1 medium onion)
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 56 cloves)
  • 3 cups thawed frozen peas and carrots

Seasonings and Sauces

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • salt (to taste)
  • ground black pepper (to taste)

Other Ingredients

  • 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots (more or less as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside to be used later.
  2. Sauté the Beef: Heat a 12 or 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 2 pounds of lean ground beef and cook it while breaking it up with a spatula for 7-10 minutes until there’s no pink remaining. Drain off any excess grease to reduce fat content, then reduce heat to medium.
  3. Add Aromatics: To the cooked beef, add the finely diced onion and minced garlic. Stir and cook these together for 1-2 minutes until the onion softens and the garlic releases its fragrance.
  4. Incorporate Seasonings and Veggies: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, dried parsley, thawed peas and carrots, and the two cans of cream of mushroom (or chicken) soup. Cook the mixture for 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through, then season with salt and black pepper according to your taste.
  5. Layer the Casserole: Transfer the beef mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared casserole dish. Spread the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture. Next, arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top—the amount can vary slightly depending on the tater tot size.
  6. Bake: Place the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the tater tots are crispy and golden on top, and the edges of the casserole are bubbling.
  7. Rest and Serve: After baking, let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes to set up slightly for easier serving. Then, scoop and enjoy your warm, cheesy, and crispy tater tot casserole!

Notes

  • You can substitute cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom if preferred.
  • For a lighter version, use lean ground turkey instead of beef.
  • If you like extra cheese, add a bit more shredded cheddar on top before baking.
  • Make sure to thaw frozen peas and carrots beforehand for even heating.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best crispiness.

Keywords: tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, easy casserole, comfort food, cheesy tater tots, family dinner