Prepare to experience comfort food at its very best with this Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef! This dish is pure nostalgia layered in a baking dish—golden, crispy tater tots perched atop a savory beef and mushroom sauce, all bubbling together beneath a melty cheddar blanket. It’s so simple to make that you’ll want to keep it in regular rotation, and yet it delivers big on taste, coziness, and crowd-pleasing power. The key step that ties it all together? Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom, ensuring each bite is a harmonious blend of creamy and crunchy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This casserole shines with just a handful of pantry staples and fridge favorites. Each ingredient has a specific role, whether it’s bringing that savory foundation, creamy richness, or irresistible texture contrast. Here’s what you’ll need (and why!):
- Ground beef (1 lb): This is the flavorful, hearty base that makes the casserole so satisfying.
- Cream of mushroom soup (1 can, 10.5 oz): Adds creaminess and earthy depth to the beef filling.
- Sour cream (½ cup): Boosts the tangy richness and brings everything together in the sauce.
- Onion (1 small, diced): Gives sweetness and extra flavor to the beef mixture.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (2 cups, divided): Melts into gooey decadence both under and atop the tots.
- Frozen tater tots (1 bag, 32 oz): The signature topping that bakes up gorgeous and crisp.
- Salt and pepper (to taste): For balancing and enhancing all the flavors.
- Optional seasonings (garlic powder, paprika, or favorite spices): Personalize the flavor profile with a dash or two of extra spices.
How to Make Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your casserole will bake evenly and that the tater tots will get perfectly crispy by the end. Don’t skip this—your oven needs to be nice and hot from the get-go!
Step 2: Cook the Beef and Onions
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown your ground beef. As it’s sizzling away, toss in the diced onions and let them soften, releasing their sweetness and infusing the beef with extra flavor. Season with salt, pepper, and any favorite spices you like—garlic powder and paprika work wonderfully here. Don’t forget to drain any extra fat so the casserole isn’t greasy.
Step 3: Stir in the Creamy Sauce
Once the beef and onions are perfectly cooked, stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream. Mix everything thoroughly so it all comes together in a creamy, savory filling. Let it cook for another 2–3 minutes so the flavors meld and the mixture is nice and hot.
Step 4: Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom
This is the magic touch! Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom. Doing this creates the perfect foundation for the layers of cheese and tater tots, ensuring every serving is packed with flavor and creaminess.
Step 5: Add the First Cheese Layer
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over your beef mixture. As it bakes, this cheese will melt right into the sauce, adding gooey goodness and more flavor in every forkful.
Step 6: Arrange the Tater Tots
Grab your bag of frozen tater tots and line them up on top of the cheese layer. Try to place them in a single, even layer so each tot gets nice and crispy while baking.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop the casserole dish into your preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the tater tots are beautifully golden and crisp.
Step 8: Add the Final Cheese Layer
Remove the casserole for just a moment and sprinkle the remaining cup of cheddar cheese on top. Slide it back in for another 5 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This final touch makes each bite irresistible!
Step 9: Rest and Serve
Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before diving in. This gives the filling time to set up slightly, making it easier to scoop and serve while the cheese still has that perfect melt.
How to Serve Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom
Garnishes
A little sprinkle of fresh herbs can go a long way. Try chopped parsley for brightness or sliced green onions for a zippy finish. Just before serving, scatter your chosen garnish over the casserole for a pop of color and fresh aroma.
Side Dishes
This Tater Tot Casserole is hearty on its own, but a crisp green salad or some roasted veggies on the side make it a complete meal. Steamed broccoli, sautéed green beans, or a simple cucumber salad are all excellent choices to balance out the rich, creamy casserole.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this casserole family-style at the table, or for something fun, try scooping portions into individual ramekins. For a party, you can even make a “mini” version using a muffin tin! No matter how you plate it, make sure to Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom for best results every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let the casserole cool completely before covering and refrigerating. It will keep well for up to 3 days, tightly wrapped or in an airtight container. The flavors get even better as they mingle, making tomorrow’s lunch something to look forward to.
Freezing
Tater Tot Casserole is a fantastic candidate for the freezer. After you Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom, you can assemble the whole casserole up to the point of baking, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, bake straight from the freezer (add extra time) until everything is hot and bubbling.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the casserole (or individual portions) into an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F until heated through. This helps the tater tots regain their crunch. You can also reheat single servings in the microwave for convenience, though the tots will be softer.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken both make delicious lighter alternatives. Just adjust the seasonings to taste, and be sure to Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom as usual for that perfect base layer.
Is there a way to make this gluten-free?
Yes! Just choose a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and make sure your tater tots are certified gluten-free. The rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it easy to adapt for those with sensitivities.
Can I prepare this casserole in advance?
Definitely! Assemble the casserole right up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate it up to a day ahead. When ready to eat, bake directly from the fridge, giving it a few extra minutes to heat through. Don’t forget: Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom for assembly ease!
What’s the best cheese for this casserole?
While cheddar is classic and provides wonderful melt and flavor, feel free to mix in mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese for extra kick or gooeyness.
Can I add vegetables to the casserole?
Yes! Mix in frozen corn, peas, or green beans to the beef mixture before you Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom. This not only adds color and nutrition but makes the casserole even more satisfying.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a hearty, nostalgic meal with minimal effort, you truly can’t go wrong with this recipe. Gather your ingredients, Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom, and let the oven do all the work—the delicious, comforting results will have everyone at the table asking for seconds!
Print
Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This comforting Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef combines savory ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots for a crowd-pleasing meal. Easy to make and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika
Cream Sauce:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 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 the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream with the beef. Cook until heated through.
- Layer in the 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 frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Add final cheese layer: Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and bake for 5 more minutes.
- Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Optional garnishes: chopped parsley or green onions for a fresh touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
