Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole (Printer-friendly)
Comforting casserole with seasoned beef, cheddar, and crispy potato topping.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
→ Dairy & Cheese
04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 1 cup whole milk
→ Pantry
06 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
07 - 2 tbsp ketchup
08 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
10 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Topping
13 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Stir in mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until well combined.
04 - Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese over the mixture.
05 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top, covering the entire surface.
06 - Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, until tater tots are golden and crispy.
07 - Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over the casserole. Return to oven for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything comes together in one pan before it even hits the oven, making cleanup almost nonexistent
- The tater tots get impossibly crispy while staying tender underneath, creating that perfect texture contrast everyone fights over
02 -
- Draining the beef thoroughly keeps the casserole from becoming greasy while it bakes
- Arranging the tater tots in neat rows instead of dumping them helps them cook more evenly
03 -
- A pinch of smoked paprika in the beef mixture adds subtle depth without changing the classic flavor
- Letting the casserole rest for those full five minutes makes serving so much cleaner