This Tater Tots Casserole is a simple, heartwarming dish that brings the whole family to the table. With a savory ground beef layer, a creamy sauce, and a perfectly golden tater tot topping, it’s one of those easy casserole recipes that feels like a hug in a dish.
This casserole takes me straight back to Mom’s kitchen. She had a special way of turning simple ingredients into the most comforting weeknight meals. The savory aroma alone was like a warm hug, a little bit of her practical magic.
Why This Recipe Is a Family Favorite
- A Family-Friendly Classic: This dish combines savory ground beef, a creamy sauce, and crispy tater tots for a meal that satisfies all ages.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: With simple steps and common ingredients, this is one of the best fast dinner recipes for busy weeknights.
- Customizable Comfort Food: Easily adaptable with different vegetables or cheeses to suit your family’s preferences.
- Great for Leftovers: This ground beef casserole stores and reheats beautifully, making it perfect for next-day lunches.
What You’ll Need for This Cozy Casserole
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn, carrots)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Putting It All Together, Step by Step
Getting Warmed Up
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Go ahead and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. I always find that a little preparation at the start makes the whole process so much smoother.
Building That Savory, Hearty Base
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef (or turkey) with the diced onion until it’s nicely browned. Be sure to drain off any excess fat. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until you can smell its lovely aroma.
Now for the Creamy, Dreamy Middle
Now, stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, frozen vegetables, salt, and pepper. Let it all cook together until it’s warmed through and the creamy sauce comes together. This is where the magic starts to happen!
Layering in the Love (and Cheese!)
Pour that delicious meat mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle one cup of the shredded cheddar cheese right over the top.
Creating That Golden Tater Tot Crown
Carefully arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the cheese. I like to make sure they’re all nestled in nicely, ready to get golden and crisp.
Letting the Oven Do Its Magic
Place the casserole in the oven and bake it uncovered for about 35 to 40 minutes. You’re looking for the tater tots to be beautifully golden brown and crispy.
A Final Blanket of Cheesy Goodness
Take the casserole out of the oven and sprinkle the remaining cup of cheddar cheese over the hot tater tots. Pop it back into the oven for about 5 more minutes, just until all that cheese is wonderfully melted and bubbly.
A Moment to Settle and Set
It’s tempting to dig right in, but letting it rest for about 5 minutes is a crucial step. This helps the casserole set up a bit, making it easier to serve.
Just a Quick Note on Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. The values are calculated for a single serving of the casserole.
A Few Simple Swaps for a Lighter Dish
- Leaner Protein: Substitute the ground beef with lean ground turkey or chicken to reduce the fat content.
- Homemade Creamy Sauce: For a from-scratch option with less sodium, you can make a simple béchamel sauce instead of using canned soup.
- Veggie Boost: Feel free to add more vegetables like chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or green beans to the meat mixture for extra nutrients and fiber.
How We Love to Enjoy This Casserole
- A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a fresh contrast to the rich flavors of the casserole.
- Steamed green beans or broccoli make for a simple and healthy side dish.
- For an extra touch of comfort, serve with a side of applesauce or a warm dinner roll.
A Few of My Tips for Perfect Tater Tot Casserole
- Not Draining the Beef: Failing to drain the excess fat from the ground beef can make the casserole greasy. Be sure to drain it well before adding the other ingredients.
- Overcrowding the Tater Tots: Placing the tater tots too close together can prevent them from getting crispy. Arrange them in a single layer with a little space in between for the best texture.
- Serving Immediately: Not allowing the casserole to rest before serving can cause it to be runny. A few minutes of rest time allows it to set properly.
Keeping Your Casserole Fresh for Later
To store leftovers, allow the casserole to cool completely before covering it tightly with foil or transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in a 350°F oven until heated through.
From My Kitchen to Yours
This Tater Tot Casserole is more than just a meal; it’s a little slice of home. It’s the kind of recipe that’s perfect for gathering your loved ones around the table for a cozy, satisfying dinner. I hope it brings as much warmth and happiness to your kitchen as it has to mine.
A Few Questions You Might Have
Thinking of Making It Ahead?
Yes, you can assemble the meat and vegetable layer in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply add the frozen tater tots and cheese on top and increase the baking time by about 10 minutes.
What About a Different Creamy Soup?
Absolutely. Cream of chicken or cream of celery soup would also work wonderfully in this recipe and give the creamy sauce a slightly different flavor.
Can I Make a Veggie Version?
Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with a plant-based ground “meat” alternative. You can also use a vegetarian-friendly cream of mushroom soup to keep the dish entirely meat-free.
Print
Tater Tots Casserole
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Tater Tots Casserole is a simple, heartwarming dish that brings the whole family to the table. With a savory ground beef layer, a creamy sauce, and a perfectly golden tater tot topping, it’s one of those easy casserole recipes that feels like a hug in a dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn, carrots)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef (or turkey) with diced onion until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in cream of mushroom soup, milk, vegetables, salt, and pepper. Cook until warmed through.
- Spread meat mixture in baking dish and sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese on top.
- Arrange tater tots evenly over cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake 5 more minutes until melted.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken, swap in homemade béchamel sauce instead of canned soup, and add extra veggies like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: tater tots casserole, ground beef casserole, family dinner, easy comfort food