Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheddar Cheese Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the casserole evenly.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add cheese layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture to add a creamy, cheesy layer.
- Add tater tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, covering the entire surface.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
