Family Favorite Tater Tot Casserole (Printable)

Comforting layered dish with ground beef, creamy sauce, cheddar, and crispy tater tots.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen peas and carrots

→ Sauces & Dairy

05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
08 - 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Topping

10 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart, for 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened and fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in frozen peas and carrots and cook for 2 additional minutes.
05 - Add cream of mushroom soup, whole milk, Worcestershire sauce, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly and heat through.
06 - Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the beef layer.
07 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top of the cheese layer.
08 - Bake uncovered for 35 minutes until tater tots begin to brown.
09 - Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots, then bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts and tots are golden.
10 - Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Comforting and crowd-pleasing
  • Easy to prepare for busy weeknights
02 -
  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or swap in ground turkey for a lighter version.
  • Substitute cream of chicken soup if desired.
03 -
  • Use fresh garlic for better flavor.
  • Drain excess fat from beef to reduce greasiness.
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