If you’re searching for pure comfort food, look no further than this tater tot casserole with ground beef. The secret to this ultimate crowd-pleaser is in the hearty layers: perfectly seasoned beef, a creamy mushroom sauce, and generous helpings of melty cheddar, all crowned with crispy golden tater tots. Let me tell you, it’s impossible not to love it from the very first forkful! And trust me, once you remember to grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom, you’ll unlock the magic that leads to creamy, bubbly results every single time. It’s simple enough for busy weeknights, yet special enough to become the star of any family gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This no-fuss recipe comes together with familiar, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each component is essential to creating the vibrant flavors, dreamy textures, and irresistible colors of the finished bake. Here’s a closer look at why every ingredient matters:
- Ground beef: Rich and savory, this forms the heart of the casserole and brings unbeatable comfort factor.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Delivers creamy depth and binds the beef layer together for extra lusciousness.
- Sour cream: Adds a tangy silkiness that balances all those savory flavors.
- Onion: Diced for sweetness and aromatic lift—your kitchen will smell incredible as soon as it hits the pan.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into gooey perfection, creating golden, satisfying layers that pull together every single bite.
- Frozen tater tots: The star topping! They bake up delightfully crisp, making this dish a guaranteed family favorite.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out all the best in your beef and veggies.
- Optional spices (garlic powder, paprika, etc.): Let your taste buds take the lead—personalize the warmth and depth of the casserole.
How to Make Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by cranking up the coziness—set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Giving your oven plenty of time to preheat means those tater tots will crisp up beautifully, and you’ll enjoy an evenly baked, bubbling casserole at the end.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
In a large skillet over medium heat, add your ground beef and begin breaking it up with a spatula. Once it just starts to brown, toss in your diced onion. Let them both cook together until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is soft and fragrant, sprinkling in salt, pepper, and any favorite spices (a dash of garlic powder or paprika can work wonders!). Drain any excess fat to avoid a greasy casserole.
Step 3: Mix in the Creamy Sauce
Add the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream directly to your beef and onion mixture. Stir until everything is thoroughly combined and creamy, then let it simmer gently for another couple of minutes so all those flavors can meld together. This step takes your beef base from basic to extraordinary.
Step 4: Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom
It’s time for that crucial move—grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom. This helps everything release perfectly after baking, gives you beautiful layers, and keeps the base ultra moist and flavorful. Don’t skip it!
Step 5: Add a Cheddar Cheese Blanket
With the beef mixture settled at the bottom, sprinkle half (about one cup) of your shredded cheddar cheese over it. This layer melts into the beef and creates that gooey, dreamy middle we crave in every bite.
Step 6: Tater Tot Topping
Grab your bag of frozen tater tots and arrange them in a single, even layer on top of the cheese. Don’t worry about making it perfect—I like to pack them in tightly for maximum crunch and coverage!
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide your assembled casserole into the hot oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the tater tots are gorgeous, golden, and crisp. The aroma wafting through your kitchen at this point is divine.
Step 8: Cheesy Final Touch
Carefully pull the hot casserole from the oven and add the remaining cup of shredded cheddar across the top. Pop it back in for just 5 more minutes—soon you’ll have a bubbly, cheese-crusted top that’s absolutely irresistible.
Step 9: Let Rest & Serve
Once melted and bubbling, allow the casserole to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps everything set and makes scooping easy—plus, it gives you the perfect moment to get everyone gathered at the table!
How to Serve Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or sliced green onions over each serving adds not just a pop of green but a dash of brightness that makes the whole dish sing. These simple touches offer visual appeal and a garden-fresh flavor to balance all the richness.
Side Dishes
Since this casserole is hearty on its own, I love to serve it with a vibrant side salad or steamed vegetables—think tender green beans or crisp broccoli. The fresh crunch and lightness balances the cozy, creamy flavors and makes it a rounded meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or potlucks, portion the casserole into ramekins or mini baking dishes for cute, individual servings. Or, serve it straight out of the baking dish at the table family-style—just don’t forget that signature step: grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom, so each portion scoops out beautifully!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover any leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors mellow and deepen even more overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch one to look forward to! Just remember, this dish holds up best if you grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom, which keeps your layers neat and reheating effortless.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze this casserole either before or after baking—just let it cool first. Wrap the entire dish (or portions) tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Always remember to grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom before assembling for the easiest reheating and serving later on.
Reheating
To reheat, place leftovers in a preheated 350°F oven (still in the casserole dish) until hot and bubbly, which usually takes about 20-25 minutes. For quicker results, individual portions can be microwaved. With the right prep—meaning you grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom—the layers warm up perfectly every time.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Absolutely! This recipe is fantastic with ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Just be sure to cook it through and season well so you get all that beloved, savory flavor in each bite.
What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup?
Try cream of chicken or celery soup, or even make your own quick white sauce if you want to avoid canned soup entirely. The casserole is pretty forgiving—just keep it creamy!
How do I keep the tater tots nice and crispy?
Bake the casserole uncovered and make sure to preheat your oven thoroughly. Arranging the tots in a single, even layer helps, and of course, don’t forget to grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom for ideal texture!
Can I assemble this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble it up to a day in advance—just cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake. When you’re ready, move it straight from fridge to oven and bake as usual; you might need to add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time. Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom before assembling to make things effortless at serving time.
Is this dish gluten free?
As written, it’s not gluten free because most cream of mushroom soups and some tater tots contain gluten. But with a quick swap to gluten-free soup and certified tater tots, it becomes a cozy, gluten-free dinner everyone can enjoy!
Final Thoughts
Nothing says “home” quite like the classic comfort of tater tot casserole, especially when you remember to grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom for that perfect finish. Give this recipe a try—you’ll be delighted by how easy it is to make and how fast it disappears from everyone’s plates!
Print
Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: None
Description
This Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef is a comforting and delicious dish that combines savory ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots. Perfect for a family dinner or a potluck gathering, this casserole is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, or any favorite spices
Cream Sauce:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ground beef: Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and season with salt, pepper, and optional spices. Drain excess fat.
- Combine with cream sauce: Mix in cream of mushroom soup and sour cream with the beef. Cook until heated through.
- Layer in casserole dish: Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly.
- Add cheese layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the beef.
- Add tater tots: Arrange tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes until tater tots are crispy.
- Add final cheese layer: Top with remaining cheddar cheese and bake until melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Optional garnishes: Chopped parsley or green onions
- For extra flavor: Add Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture
- Make it a full meal: Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
