Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole (Printable)
Hearty beef and cheese casserole topped with crispy golden potato 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
# 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 kind of dinner that makes everyone actually excited to gather around the table on a Tuesday night
- The crispy tots on top create this incredible texture contrast with the creamy beef mixture underneath
02 -
- The tater tots should be arranged in a single layer without overlapping too much or they will steam instead of crisp
- Draining the beef fat is crucial because the cheese and soup already provide plenty of richness
03 -
- Sprinkle a little smoked paprika over the tots before baking for extra depth and color
- Line your baking dish with foil for easier cleanup if you are taking this to a potluck