Name: Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 1 (32 ounce) bag frozen tater tots; Salt and pepper to taste; Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, or any favorite spices

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Why Make This Recipe

Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef is a great dish for many reasons. First, it combines the hearty flavors of ground beef and creamy soup with the fun and crispy texture of tater tots. It’s a cozy meal that your whole family will enjoy. Plus, it’s simple to prepare and takes only about an hour from start to finish. This makes it perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a crowd-pleasing dish for gatherings.

How to Make Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 small onion, diced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 (32 ounce) bag frozen tater tots
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, or any favorite spices

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Add the diced onions and cook until they soften.
Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and any optional spices you like, such as garlic powder or paprika. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream. Mix well with the beef and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture across the bottom.
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef.
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
Remove from the oven and top with the remaining cheese. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

How to Serve Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef

To serve Tater Tot Casserole, scoop out portions onto plates. It pairs wonderfully with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. You can also offer additional toppings like hot sauce or ketchup for those who enjoy a little kick with their dish.

How to Store Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef

To store any leftovers, place the casserole in an airtight container. It can stay in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the casserole. Just make sure it’s in a freezer-safe container. It can last in the freezer for about 2 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

Tips to Make Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef

You can use ground turkey or chicken as a healthier alternative to ground beef.
Feel free to add vegetables like peas or corn for extra nutrition and color.
If you like a spicy kick, consider adding diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of chili powder to the beef mixture.

Variation

For a vegetarian version, you can replace the ground beef with a mix of cooked beans and add more vegetables. You can also use a plant-based cream of mushroom soup to keep it creamy.

FAQs

1. Can I make Tater Tot Casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole and refrigerate it before baking. Just add a little extra time in the oven when you’re ready to bake it.

2. What can I serve with Tater Tot Casserole?
It goes well with a side salad, steamed broccoli, or any light vegetable to balance the meal.

3. Can I use fresh potatoes instead of tater tots?
While tater tots work best for this recipe, you can use diced and cooked potatoes. Just be sure they are fully cooked before assembling the casserole.

Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef

Author: lu-ann
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Tater Tot Casserole combines ground beef, creamy soup, and crispy tater tots for a comforting family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef
1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 small onion, diced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 (32 ounce) bag frozen tater tots
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, or any favorite spices

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Add the diced onions and cook until they soften.
Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and any optional spices you prefer. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, mixing well. Heat through for 2-3 minutes.
Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture across the bottom.
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef.
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
Remove from the oven and top with the remaining cheese. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.