Tater Tot Casserole (Printable)

Hearty casserole featuring seasoned beef, vegetables, and crispy tater tots, baked to golden perfection.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

→ Dairy & Sauces

05 - 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

→ Topping

08 - 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)

# Directions:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F.
02 - Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon; drain excess fat if present.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Incorporate condensed cream of mushroom soup and whole milk, stirring until smooth and heated through; season with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
06 - Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until combined.
07 - Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
08 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer atop the beef mixture.
09 - Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
10 - Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese over tater tots, and return to oven for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese melts and tater tots turn golden brown.
11 - Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour with ingredients you probably already have hiding in your freezer.
  • The crispy-topped, creamy-centered combination hits that comfort food sweet spot that makes people smile before they even taste it.
  • Feeds a crowd without requiring you to spend the whole day in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the beef properly—excess fat makes the casserole greasy and heavy instead of rich and creamy.
  • Arrange the tater tots in a single layer rather than piling them; if they overlap, the ones underneath stay soft instead of getting crispy.
  • The second cheese layer goes on near the end so it melts into pockets and browns slightly without burning the tots underneath.
03 -
  • Don't arrange the tater tots straight from the freezer if you have time to let them sit out for 5 minutes—they're easier to position and cook more evenly.
  • If your casserole is bubbling over in the oven, place a baking sheet on the rack below to catch drips and avoid a mess.
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