The Best Tater Tot Casserole

Looking for an easy, comforting dinner that the whole family will adore? This classic Tater Tot Casserole delivers every time. Imagine savory ground beef, tender vegetables, and a creamy, cheesy sauce, all topped with a golden, crispy layer of tater tots. It’s a beloved family recipe that brings smiles and satisfaction to any mealtime.

According to Merriam-Webster, comfort food is traditionally prepared and has nostalgic appeal.

Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Casserole

• Quick and effortless preparation: You can get this comforting dish ready in minutes.
• Uses common pantry ingredients: Most items are probably already in your kitchen.
• Delivers ultimate comfort food: It’s warm, hearty, and incredibly satisfying.
• Crispy tater tot topping: The golden tots add a delightful texture.
• Easily customizable for preferences: Adjust ingredients to suit your family’s taste.
• Perfect for busy weeknights: A complete meal made simple and fast.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 15 oz can green beans, drained
• 10.75 oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups frozen tater tots
• Salt and pepper to taste

Notes & Substitutions

You can easily adapt this Tater Tot Casserole to your pantry and preferences. Feel free to swap ground beef for lean ground turkey or chicken. For the creamy base, use condensed cream of chicken or cream of celery soup if you prefer.

Instead of green beans, consider canned corn, mixed vegetables, or peas. Enhance the cheesiness by using a blend like Colby Jack or Monterey Jack, or even some pepper jack for a slight kick. Remember to season every layer for the best flavor.

Equipment

Gathering your tools makes cooking a breeze. You’ll need an 8 or 9-inch baking dish for this casserole. A large skillet is essential for browning the meat. Have a spatula or wooden spoon handy. An optional garlic press and cheese grater will make prep even simpler.

Instructions

Making this Tater Tot Casserole is straightforward and fun! Follow these steps for a perfect dish.

1. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare baking dish: Lightly grease an 8 or 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set it aside.
3. Brown beef: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break up the meat as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat thoroughly from the skillet.
4. Sauté onions: Add the diced onions to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the onions become translucent and softened.
5. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
6. Season beef mixture: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Season the ground beef mixture generously with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to combine.
7. Layer in dish: Transfer the seasoned ground beef mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly across the bottom.
8. Add creamy layers: Evenly spread the condensed cream of mushroom soup over the beef layer. Next, distribute the drained green beans on top of the soup. Lightly season the green bean layer with a pinch of salt and pepper. Finally, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the green beans.
9. Top with tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the cheese. This ensures they cook evenly and get wonderfully crispy.
10. Bake: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Serve: Let the Tater Tot Casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy it hot!

Pro Tips for the Best Tater Tot Casserole

• Season every layer: Don’t forget to season the meat, vegetables, and even the soup layer for maximum flavor.
• Use lean ground beef: Leaner beef means less fat to drain, resulting in a less greasy casserole.
• Always drain excess fat thoroughly: This prevents a watery or oily final dish.
• Arrange tots in a single, even layer: This ensures every tater tot cooks up crispy and golden.
• Skip cheese on top of tots for crispiness: Adding cheese over the tots can make them soft.
• Use freshly shredded cheese for melt: Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that hinder smooth melting.
• Allow casserole to rest briefly before serving: This helps the layers set and makes for easier serving.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Serving Suggestions

Serve this delicious Tater Tot Casserole hot and bubbly straight from the oven. It’s hearty enough on its own but pairs beautifully with a crisp, simple green salad to balance the richness. A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh chives on top can add extra flair.

Storage Instructions

Cool any leftover casserole completely before storing it. Transfer the cooled Tater Tot Casserole to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze this casserole! For unbaked, assemble everything except the tots, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Add frozen tots before baking.

Baked casserole freezes well for 2-3 months. Reheat thawed portions in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Recipe Variations

Get creative with your tater tot bake!

• Chicken or Turkey Version: Substitute ground beef with ground chicken or turkey for a lighter twist.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Use plant-based ground meat or a double portion of beans and corn.
• Spicy Kick: Add a diced jalapeño to the beef mixture or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soup.
• Breakfast Casserole Twist: Layer cooked breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, and cheese before the tots.
• Different Cheese Combinations: Experiment with Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for new flavors.

Nutrition Information

This comforting casserole provides a satisfying meal with balanced macronutrients. Each serving offers a good source of protein and essential nutrients, perfect for fueling your family.

Serving Size: 1 serving. Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

This easy Tater Tot Casserole truly embodies simple, comforting home cooking. It’s an incredibly versatile and satisfying meal that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd. With its savory layers and irresistible crispy topping, this family-friendly dish is sure to become a regular in your rotation.

Give this recipe a try tonight and discover why it’s a beloved classic! Don’t forget to rate and share your experience.

The BEST Tater Tot Casserole

A comforting and easy-to-make tater tot casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and a cheesy tater tot topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 38 minutes mins

Total Time 53 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• large skillet
• 8 or 9-inch baking dish
• Cooking Spray

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef the leaner the better
• 1/2 onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 15 oz can green beans drained
• 10.75 oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups frozen tater tots
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease an 8 or 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray, then set it aside.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and make sure to drain any excess fat.
• Add the diced onions to the skillet and sauté for 4-5 minutes until they become translucent; then add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently.
• Stir in Worcestershire sauce, season with salt and pepper, then transfer the ground beef mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
• Layer the casserole by topping the beef with cream of mushroom soup, followed by the drained green beans (remember to season this layer), and then the shredded cheddar cheese.
• Finally, arrange the frozen tater tots evenly over the cheese layer.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is thoroughly melted and bubbly.
• Remove from the oven and serve the casserole immediately while hot.

Notes

For an extra kick, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture. Ensure to season each layer for maximum flavor!