Tater Tot Casserole

Tater tot casserole is Midwest cooking at its most direct. Ground beef, vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and a tightly packed layer of frozen tater tots baked under a blanket of cheddar cheese. There is no pretense. It is a dinner that works on a Tuesday when you want something warm, filling, and ready without a lot of fuss. If you grew up eating this, it probably brings back memories. If you did not, it is worth discovering.

The success of this casserole depends on two things: draining the fat from the beef properly and packing the tater tots tightly on top so they form a continuous crispy layer. Gaps between the tots mean soft, steamy spots.

You want that whole top to be golden and crunchy when it comes out of the oven. The cream of mushroom soup mixed with sour cream creates a sauce that binds the beef and vegetables without making the dish soupy. Frozen corn and peas go in straight from the bag.

Add the cheddar in the last five minutes so it melts on top of the tots without overcooking. This is best eaten fresh from the oven while the tots are still crispy.

How to Make Tater Tot Casserole

Brown the Beef and Build the Base

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles, about seven minutes.

Add the diced onion and cook for four minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Drain any excess fat. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, frozen corn, frozen peas, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until everything is well combined. The mixture should be thick and cohesive.

Assemble with a Tight Layer of Tater Tots

Spread the beef mixture in an even layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, tightly packed layer over the top. The tots should touch each other with no gaps. A continuous layer of tater tots creates a crispy, golden top that contrasts with the creamy filling underneath.

Bake Until Golden and Bubbly

Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy.

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the tots and bake for another five minutes until the cheese is melted.

Let the casserole rest for five minutes before serving so the filling sets slightly. Top with sliced green onions and serve hot.

Tater Tot Casserole

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5 from 3 reviews

• Author: Cortney Rowland
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Tater tot casserole is Midwest comfort food at its most honest. A layer of seasoned ground beef and vegetables topped with frozen tater tots and cheese, baked until everything is crispy and bubbling. It is not trying to be anything other than exactly what it is, and it is perfect for that. Kids lose their minds over this one.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10.75 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 green onions, sliced

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking into crumbles, about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the onion and cook 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Drain any excess fat.
3. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, corn, peas, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined.
4. Spread the beef mixture in an even layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer over the top, packing them tightly together.
6. Bake 40 minutes until the tots are golden and crispy. Sprinkle the cheddar over the tots and bake another 5 minutes until melted.
7. Top with sliced green onions and serve hot.

Notes

• Pack the tater tots tightly together — the crispy layer should be continuous, not sparse, for the best texture.
• Cream of mushroom soup from a can is the classic binder here and it works. This is not the place to get fancy.
• You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner version without losing the spirit of the dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 580
• Sugar: 4
• Sodium: 920
• Fat: 32
• Carbohydrates: 48
• Fiber: 3
• Protein: 28
• Cholesterol: 85