Tater Tot Beef Casserole (Print View)

Ground beef and veggies baked with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese for a warm, satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

→ Dairy & Sauces

05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

→ Topping

08 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
12 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Add condensed cream of mushroom soup and whole milk to the skillet. Stir until well combined and heated through. Season with salt, black pepper, and paprika if using.
06 - Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
08 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the mixture.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
10 - Remove casserole from oven, sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese over tater tots, then bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and tater tots are golden brown.
11 - Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes like you spent all afternoon cooking.
  • Kids actually ask for seconds without being asked, and adults feel nostalgic without being pretentious about it.
  • You can prep the beef mixture ahead and just add the tater tots when you're ready to bake.
02 -
  • Don't thaw the tater tots before using them—they'll absorb moisture and steam instead of crisping up, and you'll lose half the appeal.
  • The cream of mushroom soup is already pretty salty, so taste the sauce before adding more salt; you can always add more, but you can't take it back.
  • If you're adding your own vegetables like mushrooms or bell pepper, cook them with the onion and garlic so they soften and won't throw off your baking time.
03 -
  • Mix the first cup of cheese into the sauce before spreading it in the baking dish so it's distributed evenly and bonds the whole thing together.
  • Use a 9x13 baking dish specifically because it gives you the right depth for the casserole to bake through without the sauce burning on the bottom.
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