Description
A comforting and easy-to-make Tater Tot Casserole featuring a savory ground beef and mushroom cream sauce base, topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. This classic American casserole is perfect for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the casserole doesn’t stick during baking.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks until browned. Drain any excess fat to avoid greasiness.
- Sauté the Onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef and cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion is softened and translucent.
- Make the Creamy Beef Mixture: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and milk into the beef and onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow it to simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine flavors well.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the creamy beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Then layer the frozen tater tots evenly over the top, covering the beef mixture completely.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on the top.
- Add Cheese and Final Bake: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots, and return it to the oven. Bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly. Then enjoy this warm, hearty, and delicious meal!
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup for a different flavor.
- For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or chili powder to the beef mixture.
- Make sure to drain the ground beef well to prevent a greasy casserole.
- Leftover casserole can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- To make it gluten-free, verify the cream of mushroom soup and tater tots are gluten-free brands.
