Hearty Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef (Print Version)
This Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef is pure comfort! Learn my family's favorite, easy recipe with crispy tots, savory beef, and creamy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Meat-based
# Ingredients:
→ Hearty Base
01 -
1 lb Ground Beef
02 -
1 medium Onion, diced
→ Creamy Sauce Essentials
03 -
1 can (10.5 oz) Cream of Mushroom Soup
04 -
1/2 cup Milk (whole milk recommended)
→ Flavor Builders
05 -
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
06 -
1 tsp Garlic Powder
07 -
Salt & Black Pepper to taste
→ Crispy Topping
08 -
1 bag (32 oz) Frozen Tater Tots
09 -
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, grab your biggest skillet and get it nice and hot over medium-high heat. Toss in that ground beef and diced onion. Break up the beef with a spoon, stirring occasionally, until it’s beautifully browned and the onions are soft and translucent. Oh, and drain any excess fat! I learned this the hard way with a slightly greasy Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef once, and trust me, you want to avoid that.
02 -
While the beef is doing its thing, in a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. It’s going to look a little thick, but that’s totally fine. This is where all that comforting, savory flavor comes from. Give it a good stir, making sure everything is combined. I always take a little sniff here—the aroma is already starting to build!
03 -
Once your beef is browned and drained, pour that creamy soup mixture right into the skillet with the beef and onions. Stir it all together until everything is coated and smelling absolutely heavenly. Now, grab a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread this glorious Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef mixture evenly across the bottom. This is the foundation for all that deliciousness, so make sure it's nice and flat!
04 -
Here comes the fun part! Carefully arrange a single layer of frozen tater tots over the beef mixture. Don't be shy, cover that whole surface! I try to make them as even as possible, but honestly, a few gaps here and there are totally fine. The goal is a crispy, golden crown for your Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef. Resist the urge to snack on them raw, I know it's tempting!
05 -
Pop that dish into your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for those tater tots to start turning golden brown and getting beautifully crispy. The kitchen will start smelling incredible, trust me. This is the stage where the magic happens, and the creamy beef mixture beneath gets all bubbly and warm. Don't peek too much, let it bake!
06 -
After 25-30 minutes, pull the casserole out and sprinkle that shredded cheddar cheese all over the top of the crispy tots. Now, return it to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and, honestly, looking irresistible. Let it sit for a few minutes after it comes out—it helps the sauce set up a bit. And then, dig into your amazing Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef!
# Notes:
01 -
Don't overcrowd the pan when browning beef; it steams instead of browns, so work in batches if needed.
02 -
Leftovers are great, but the tots get softer—still delicious, just a different texture.
03 -
I tried adding diced bell peppers once, it was a nice veggie boost and added color.
04 -
A dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives makes it feel fancy, even if it's not.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Large skillet
02 -
9x13 inch baking dish
03 -
mixing bowl
04 -
whisk
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 450
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 25g