Easy Tater Tot Casserole: Hearty Family Dinner (Print Version)
Easy Tater Tot Casserole for dinner: A quick, cheesy, and comforting family favorite. Make this simple recipe tonight for a delicious meal!
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Meat
# Ingredients:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
02 -
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
03 -
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup (full-fat)
04 -
1/2 cup whole milk
05 -
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
→ Flavor Boosters
06 -
1 tsp garlic powder
07 -
1 tsp onion powder
08 -
1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
09 -
1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
→ The Star
10 -
1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
→ Optional Extras
11 -
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
12 -
Hot sauce for serving
# Instructions:
01 -
Grab your biggest skillet and get it nice and hot over medium-high heat. Toss in the ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Once it starts to brown, throw in your chopped yellow onion. Sauté until the beef is fully cooked through and the onion is softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Oh, the smell of browning beef and onion? Pure comfort, honestly. This is where the foundation of your Easy Tater Tot Casserole really begins, so don't rush it!
02 -
Once your beef is cooked, drain off any excess grease. This is super important; nobody wants a greasy casserole! Return the skillet to the heat, then stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix it all up really well until it's smooth and bubbly. I always make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan here to get all those yummy browned bits. This creamy mixture is the heart of your Easy Tater Tot Casserole, so make sure it's seasoned just right.
03 -
Now for the good stuff! Take the skillet off the heat and stir in about half of your shredded cheddar cheese. Let it melt into that warm, creamy beef mixture. It's going to get wonderfully gooey and stringy. This step makes the base of your Easy Tater Tot Casserole extra rich and flavorful. I sometimes add a little extra cheese here, just because, well, cheese!
04 -
Pour the entire beef and cheese mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly with your spoon. This is where it starts looking like a proper casserole, ready for its topping. I always give the dish a little shake to settle everything. Making an Easy Tater Tot Casserole is all about layering those delicious flavors, and this is your savory base.
05 -
Now for the fun part: arrange those frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture. Don't thaw them first, just grab 'em straight from the freezer! You want them to get nice and crispy in the oven. I try to make a neat pattern, but sometimes they just get tossed on there, and that’s totally fine too. This layer is what gives your Easy Tater Tot Casserole that iconic texture.
06 -
Pop your casserole into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the filling is bubbly. During the last 5 minutes, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tots and let it melt. The smell filling your kitchen? Heavenly. That golden-brown, bubbly top is what you're looking for in a truly delicious Easy Tater Tot Casserole.
# Notes:
01 -
Always drain the fat from your ground beef; a greasy casserole is a sad casserole.
02 -
Don't thaw your tater tots! They get crispier when baked from frozen.
03 -
Use full-fat cream of mushroom soup and milk for the creamiest, richest sauce.
04 -
For extra veggies, stir in a cup of frozen mixed vegetables with the soup.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
9x13 baking dish
02 -
large skillet
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 450
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 25g