Description
Cheesy tater tot meatloaf casserole brings together hearty ground beef, crispy potato tots, and melted cheese in a comfort classic that’ll make your family crowd the dinner table. Simple ingredients and quick assembly mean you can enjoy this satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large egg
Dry Ingredients:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Wet Ingredients and Toppings:
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups frozen tater tots
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Mix 1 lb ground beef, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup chopped onion, ¼ cup milk, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in a large bowl until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Press the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish, forming a compact rectangular loaf shape.
- Distribute 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top of your meatloaf.
- Arrange 2 cups of frozen tater tots in a single uniform layer over the cheese.
- Drizzle ½ cup barbecue sauce across the tater tots, ensuring even coverage.
- Slide the casserole into the 350°F oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Remove the casserole and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Optionally, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and added freshness.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (85% or 90%) to prevent the casserole from becoming too greasy and ensure a perfect texture.
- Gently mix the meat mixture to avoid compacting the meat, which can make the meatloaf tough and dense.
- For a gluten-free version, swap breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour to maintain the binding properties.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make slicing easier, capturing all the delicious cheesy goodness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 485 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg