Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Introduction
Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Combining savory ground beef, creamy soup, veggies, and crispy tater tots, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser that comes together quickly.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 cups finely diced onion (about 1 medium onion)
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 5-6 cloves)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 3 cups thawed frozen peas and carrots
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots (more or less as needed)
- Salt (to taste)
- Ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Step 2: Heat a 12 or 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, for 7-10 minutes until no pink remains. Drain excess grease.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, then add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, dried parsley, thawed peas and carrots, and cream of mushroom soup. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, then arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese. Use as many tater tots as needed to cover the top.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy and the casserole edges are bubbling. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
- Substitute the peas and carrots with corn or green beans for a different vegetable mix.
- Use cream of chicken soup instead of mushroom for a slightly sweeter taste.
- Add a layer of cooked bacon or sautéed mushrooms for richness.
- If you prefer a crispier topping, broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes—watch carefully to avoid burning.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire casserole in a 350°F oven until heated through. This dish also freezes well; freeze in portions and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make Tater Tot Casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day before baking. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and bake it fresh when ready to serve.
What can I use instead of tater tots?
If you don’t have tater tots, you can use frozen hash browns or even thinly sliced potatoes as a topping. Adjust baking time as needed to ensure they cook through and crisp up.
PrintTater Tot Casserole Recipe
This classic Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish made with seasoned ground beef, rich cream of mushroom soup, mixed vegetables, cheddar cheese, and crispy baked tater tots. Perfect for family dinners, this casserole combines savory flavors with a crispy topping for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 cups finely diced onion (about 1 medium onion)
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 5–6 cloves)
- 3 cups thawed frozen peas and carrots
Seasonings and Sauces
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- Salt (to taste)
- Ground black pepper (to taste)
Other Ingredients
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots (more or less as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and dish: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside to keep it ready for assembling the casserole.
- Cook the beef: Heat a large 12 or 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 2 pounds of lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 7-10 minutes until browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease from the skillet to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
- Sauté aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium, then add finely diced onion and minced garlic to the cooked beef. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Add seasonings and vegetables: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, dried parsley, thawed peas and carrots, and cream of mushroom soup. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm through and combine the flavors. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer the beef mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese uniformly over the beef layer. Top with an even layer of frozen tater tots, using more or less depending on your preference and the size of the tots.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy on top and the edges of the casserole are bubbling hot.
- Rest and serve: Allow the casserole to sit for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps it set slightly and makes serving easier and less messy.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup for a slightly different flavor.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like corn or green beans for extra nutrition and color.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- For a lower-fat version, use lean ground turkey instead of beef and reduced-fat cheese.
Keywords: Tater Tot Casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, frozen tater tots recipe, easy dinner casserole
