Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheddar Recipe
A comforting and easy-to-make Tater Tot Casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and layers of melted cheddar cheese topped with crispy tater tots. Perfect for a hearty family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Base
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
Sauces and Dairy
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Other
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, or any favorite spices
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Add the diced onion and cook until softened. Season with salt, pepper, and optional spices like garlic powder or paprika. Drain excess fat for a leaner dish.
- Combine with cream sauce: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream with the beef mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through, allowing flavors to meld.
- Layer in casserole dish: Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly on the bottom to form the first layer.
- Add cheese layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture for a cheesy base layer.
- Add tater tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese layer, ensuring full coverage.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Add final cheese layer: Remove the casserole from the oven and evenly top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving for easier slicing and enjoyable texture.
Notes
- You can add vegetables like green beans or corn for extra nutrition.
- Use low-fat sour cream and cheese to reduce calorie and fat content.
- Feel free to experiment with seasoning according to your taste preference.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven.
Keywords: Tater Tot Casserole, Ground Beef Casserole, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, Cheesy Casserole
