Description
This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting American classic featuring a savory ground beef and onion base mixed with creamy mushroom soup and sour cream, topped with crispy golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and deliciously satisfying with a hint of paprika and fresh parsley garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Topping
- 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is browned and the onion softens, about 6–8 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Drain Excess Grease: Carefully drain off any excess fat from the skillet to reduce greasiness.
- Mix Soup and Seasonings: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika until everything is well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture, covering it completely.
- First Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, allowing the tater tots to bake through and start to crisp.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Second Bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Swap out ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat as a lighter, healthier alternative.
- Add cooked vegetables such as peas, green beans, or corn to the beef mixture for extra nutrition and flavor.
