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Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 92 reviews

This classic Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring seasoned ground beef and vegetables in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy tater tots. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines rich flavors and textures baked to golden perfection in just over an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Mixture

  • 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
  • Salt to taste
  • Ground black pepper to taste

Topping

  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots (more or less as needed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook Ground Beef: Heat a 12 or 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds of lean ground beef and cook for 7-10 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula until no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease to keep the dish leaner, then reduce heat to medium.
  3. Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add 2 cups finely diced onion and 2 tablespoons minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1-2 minutes until the onions soften and become fragrant.
  4. Add Seasonings and Vegetables: Stir in 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons dried parsley, and 3 cups thawed frozen peas and carrots. Mix well. Add 2 cans (10.5-ounce each) of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, heating through. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
  5. Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef mixture into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture. Then layer the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top – you may use a bit less or more than the 32-ounce bag depending on your dish size.
  6. Bake: Place uncovered casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Bake until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top, and the edges of the casserole are bubbly and heated through.
  7. Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly for easier serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom soup based on preference.
  • For added flavor, sprinkle extra cheese on top halfway through baking.
  • To make it a little healthier, use reduced-fat cheese and lean ground beef.
  • Frozen peas and carrots must be thawed before mixing to ensure even cooking.
  • Do not cover the casserole while baking to ensure the tater tots get crispy.

Keywords: Tater Tot Casserole, Ground Beef Casserole, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, Cheesy Casserole, Frozen Tater Tots, Cream of Mushroom Soup

Find it online: https://topreci.com/tater-tot-casserole-recipe/