Description
Weeknight tater tot casserole layers crispy tots with savory beef and melted cheese. It’s cozy, filling, and loved by all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 bag frozen tater tots
Vegetable Components:
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
Seasoning and Finishing Touches:
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fire up your oven to a steady 350°F, creating the perfect cooking environment for this comfort classic.
- Grab a skillet and cook 1 pound ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into small, uniform crumbles.
- Carefully drain away excess grease from the beef, preserving the lean meat’s rich flavor.
- Blend 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the beef, creating a creamy base.
- Fold 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables into the beef mixture, ensuring even distribution of colorful ingredients.
- Transfer the savory beef blend into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it into an even, appetizing layer.
- Arrange 1 bag of frozen tater tots across the top in a neat, overlapping pattern for maximum crispy coverage.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated 350°F oven and bake for 30 minutes until tots transform into golden, crunchy perfection.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheese over the crispy surface and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts completely.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure crispy tater tots.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to make the dish lighter or vegetarian-friendly.
- For extra flavor, mix different cheeses like cheddar and pepper jack, or add a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits on top.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg