Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and delicious dish that brings comfort food to a whole new level. It’s a perfect meal for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Layers of savory beef, creamy soup, and crispy tater tots come together to make a satisfying dish that everyone will love.
Why Make This Recipe
This Tater Tot Casserole is not only easy to make, but it also combines tasty ingredients that can easily please a crowd. It’s a one-dish meal which means less cleanup for you. With its creamy texture and crunchy topping, this recipe is a family favorite that can be ready in under an hour.
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
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)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Heat a 12 or 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook and break up the beef for 7-10 minutes until no pink remains. Drain off any grease.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add Worcestershire sauce, dried parsley, thawed peas and carrots, and cream of mushroom soup. Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Transfer the beef mixture to the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Cover it evenly with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in an even layer on top. You may not need all of them, depending on the brand and size.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, until the tater tots are crispy on top and the edges are bubbling. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
How to Serve Tater Tot Casserole
Serve Tater Tot Casserole hot from the oven. You can add a side salad or some steamed vegetables for a complete meal. This dish is great for lunch or dinner and can be enjoyed on its own or with your favorite ketchup or hot sauce.
How to Store Tater Tot Casserole
If you have leftover casserole, let it cool down before storing it. Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply warm it in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Tips to Make Tater Tot Casserole
- Feel free to add your favorite vegetables or change the meat to turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- You can also mix different types of cheese for extra flavor.
- If you like your tater tots extra crispy, broil the casserole for the last few minutes of baking.
Variation
You can make a vegetarian version by replacing ground beef with cooked lentils or a meat substitute. Use vegetable broth with cream of mushroom soup to keep it meat-free.
FAQs
Q: Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?
A: Yes, you can use fresh vegetables. Just make sure to cook them until tender before adding them to the casserole.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can prepare the casserole the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve.
Q: Is there a way to make this dish spicier?
A: Definitely! You can add some diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the beef mixture for an extra kick.
Tater Tot Casserole
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)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 3 cups thawed frozen peas and carrots
Sauce and Topping
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup) 10.5 ounces each
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag frozen tater tots 32 ounces, more or less as needed
Seasoning
- to taste Salt
- to taste Ground black pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Heat a 12 or 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook and break up the beef for 7-10 minutes until no pink remains. Drain off any grease.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add Worcestershire sauce, dried parsley, thawed peas and carrots, and cream of mushroom soup. Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
Assembly and Baking
- Transfer the beef mixture to the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Cover it evenly with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in an even layer on top. You may not need all of them, depending on the brand and size.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, until the tater tots are crispy on top and the edges are bubbling. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
