Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole (Printable View)
Hearty beef and cheese casserole topped with crispy tater tots
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
→ Dairy & Cheese
04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 1 cup whole milk
→ Pantry
06 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
07 - 2 tbsp ketchup
08 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
10 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Topping
13 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Stir in mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until well combined.
04 - Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese over the mixture.
05 - Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the top.
06 - Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, until tater tots are golden and crisp.
07 - Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over the casserole. Return to oven for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted.
08 - Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its the ultimate comfort food that somehow manages to be both nostalgic and satisfying every single time
- The entire family actually gets excited about leftovers which is basically a miracle in our house
02 -
- Draining the beef fat is crucial otherwise you end up with an oily layer that nobody wants
- Letting the casserole rest for those 5 minutes seems unnecessary but it makes the difference between a mess and neat servings
03 -
- Sprinkle some smoked paprika over the tots before baking for extra color and flavor
- Arrange the tots in neat rows instead of dumping them for the most even browning