Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheddar Cheese Recipe

Introduction

Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Layers of savory beef, creamy mushroom sauce, melted cheddar, and crispy tater tots come together to create a crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to make and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, or any favorite spices

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Add the diced onion and cook until softened. Season with salt, pepper, and optional spices like garlic powder or paprika. Drain any excess fat.
3. Step 3: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream until well combined with the beef. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
4. Step 4: Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef layer.
6. Step 6: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
7. Step 7: Bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Step 9: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add minced garlic or green peppers when cooking the beef and onions.
• Swap cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery for a different taste.
• Use spicy cheddar or add a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture for a kick.
• Top the casserole with chopped green onions or fresh parsley before serving for added freshness.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. The tater tots may lose some crispness when reheated.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen tater tots?

While fresh potatoes can work, they won’t have the same crispy texture as tater tots. To mimic the effect, parboil and roast diced potatoes until crispy before layering them in the casserole.

Is there a vegetarian version of this casserole?

Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils, crumbled tofu, or a plant-based meat alternative. Use vegetable cream soup to keep it vegetarian-friendly.

Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheddar Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 90 reviews

This Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for easy weeknight dinners. It features browned ground beef combined with creamy mushroom soup and sour cream, layered with shredded cheddar cheese and topped with golden, crispy tater tots. Baked to perfection, this casserole offers a delicious mix of creamy, cheesy, and crispy textures that the whole family will love.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, or any favorite spices

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the casserole evenly.
2. Cook the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Add the diced onions and cook until they soften. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and any optional spices like garlic powder or paprika. Drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from being greasy.
3. Combine with cream sauce: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, mixing thoroughly with the beef and onions. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat the mixture through and blend the flavors well.
4. Layer in the casserole dish: Grease a casserole dish lightly, then evenly spread the beef and cream sauce mixture across the bottom of the dish as the base layer.
5. Add cheese layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture to add a creamy, cheesy layer.
6. Add tater tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, covering the entire surface.
7. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on the edges.
8. Add final cheese layer: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
9. Serve: Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set slightly and to avoid burns.

Notes

• You can customize seasonings according to taste, such as adding garlic powder or paprika for more flavor.
• For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
• Make sure to drain excess grease from the cooked ground beef to keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
• The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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