Description
Tater tot casserole layers crispy tots, seasoned beef, and melted cheese into one comforting dish. It’s hearty, familiar, and always satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 bag frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set your oven to precisely 375°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Crumble 1 pound ground beef into a skillet at medium heat until completely browned, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Drain every bit of excess fat from the cooked beef using a colander.
- Whisk 1 can cream of mushroom soup with ½ cup milk, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder directly into the beef.
- Season the beef mixture with salt and pepper, stirring until everything blends smoothly.
- Transfer the entire beef mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Arrange a full bag of frozen tater tots across the top, ensuring complete coverage.
- Scatter 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated 375°F oven for exactly 30-35 minutes.
- Remove when tater tots transform to a crispy golden brown and cheese melts completely.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a cleaner, more flavorful casserole base.
- For a gluten-free version, swap cream of mushroom soup for a gluten-free alternative or make your own homemade cream sauce.
- Customize the cheese by mixing in different varieties like pepper jack or adding crispy bacon bits for extra flavor depth.
- To make this dish healthier, substitute ground turkey for beef and add chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to boost nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg