If you’re longing for the ultimate comfort food that gets dinner on the table fast, look no further than Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef. Imagine a bubbling-hot dish with a creamy, savory beef filling, sweet pops of veggies, melty cheddar, and a crunchy crown of golden tater tots. This casserole delivers homey nostalgia, weeknight practicality, and big flavor in every bite—perfect for families, potlucks, or whenever you want something easy and satisfying with minimal fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef calls for kitchen staples that you likely have on hand. Each ingredient brings its own role—flavor, texture, or that craveable cheesiness—to create a dish that feels like a warm hug any night of the week.
- Ground beef: Classic, hearty, and packed with savory flavor for that perfect base.
- Onion: Adds gentle sweetness and depth; don’t skip it for the best-tasting casserole.
- Garlic: Infuses a subtle kick—fresh is always best here!
- Cream of mushroom soup: Provides the creamy, comforting backbone; cream of chicken works if you want a milder flavor.
- Sour cream: This adds tanginess and richness to the filling for a luscious bite.
- Worcestershire sauce: Just a splash brings a savory, umami punch that ties everything together.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning all those layers.
- Black pepper: A touch adds warmth and balance.
- Frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn): For bursts of color, sweetness, and texture—plus easy nutrition!
- Frozen tater tots: The star of the show! Crunchy, golden crowns that everyone loves.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Cheese makes everything better; use it inside for creaminess and on top for that irresistible gooey finish.
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Begin by setting your oven to 375°F so it’s hot and ready when your casserole is assembled. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish—nonstick spray makes cleanup even easier. A little prep up front keeps everything smooth later!
Step 2: Brown the Beef & Sauté the Veggies
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together. In about 6 to 8 minutes, the beef should be browned and the onions soft—be sure to break the meat up as you go. Drain off any extra fat before the next step for a lighter, less greasy finish.
Step 3: Add Garlic & Build Flavor
Stir in that minced garlic and let it cook for just about a minute—enough to smell fragrant and delicious, but not so long that it burns. This step lays down a flavor base that makes this Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef irresistible.
Step 4: Mix in Soup, Cream, and Veggies
To the skillet, add your cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir it all together until smooth and creamy, then fold in your frozen mixed veggies and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Mixing the cheese in now gives you little pockets of melty goodness throughout.
Step 5: Assemble in the Baking Dish
Spoon the creamy beef-and-veggie mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. This ensures every scoop has a perfect balance of beef, veggies, and sauce. Now, arrange the frozen tater tots over the top in a single, even layer—no need to thaw!
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the uncovered casserole onto the middle oven rack and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Watch for the tater tots to turn crispy and golden brown—that’s your cue! Just before it’s done, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over everything and bake for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly.
Step 7: Let Rest and Serve
Once out of the oven, let your Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef rest for a few minutes. This helps it set up for easier serving and allows all those flavors to meld together beautifully.
How to Serve Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef
Garnishes
This casserole begs for a little something extra on top! Fresh chopped parsley, sliced green onions, or even a dollop of sour cream make it pop—both visually and in flavor. Try a sprinkle of paprika for a smoky finish if you like.
Side Dishes
Serve your Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef with a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli for freshness. Classic coleslaw or pickles add a nice tangy crunch that balances the rich casserole. Warm dinner rolls are perfect for mopping up every bit of creamy sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re hosting or want to impress, bake individual portions in ramekins for a personalized touch. Layer in extra veggies or even sautéed mushrooms between the beef and tots. For a party, serve mini bites in muffin tins—guaranteed crowd-pleasers!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Transfer leftovers to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap to keep everything fresh and moist.
Freezing
This casserole is a lifesaver on busy nights because it freezes beautifully! Assemble it fully (without baking), then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen—just add an extra 10-15 minutes of cook time.
Reheating
To reheat single servings, use the microwave for a couple of minutes until hot. For bigger portions or the whole dish, pop it in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, for about 20-25 minutes. Uncover for the last few minutes to crisp up those tater tots again!
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken are great substitutes if you want something lighter. Just be sure to season well, as they have a milder flavor than beef.
What if I don’t have cream of mushroom soup?
No problem—cream of chicken works just as well and gives a slightly different (but still delicious) flavor. You can even try cream of celery for something new.
Do I need to thaw the tater tots first?
Not at all! Add the tater tots to your casserole straight from the freezer. Baking them from frozen ensures they get super crispy on top.
Can I add extra veggies?
Definitely. Add extra peas, corn, or even bell peppers for a colorful twist. If you love mushrooms or spinach, just chop and stir them in with the other vegetables.
Is this casserole spicy?
The classic Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef is mild and kid-friendly. If you want heat, try adding diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the filling before baking.
Final Thoughts
Comforting, cheesy, and wonderfully simple, Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef is a must-try for any home cook. It’s one of those recipes that’s practically guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters. Go ahead, give it a spot on your dinner table this week—you might just find a new family favorite!
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Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef is a comforting and hearty dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner. Layers of seasoned ground beef, vegetables, creamy sauce, and crispy tater tots, all topped with melted cheese, make this a satisfying and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Remaining Ingredients:
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 3 cups frozen tater tots
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Make Sauce: Stir in cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and mixed vegetables. Mix in 1 cup of cheese.
- Assemble: Spread mixture in the dish, top with tater tots in a single layer.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until tater tots are crispy. Add remaining cheese and bake for 5 more minutes.
- Serve: Let it rest before serving.
Notes
- You can use cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom for variation.
- For extra flavor, consider adding chopped pickles or jalapeños.
- This casserole can be assembled and frozen before baking for a future meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
