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I still remember the first time I served this Tater Tot Casserole at a rainy weeknight dinner — it disappeared in minutes. This classic combines browned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy tater tots for a hearty, comforting meal that’s perfect for busy families or anyone craving a stick-to-your-ribs comfort food casserole. Make it for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing, budget-friendly dinner.
Why you’ll love this dish
It’s fast, filling, and kid-approved — everything you want from an easy tater tot casserole. With pantry-friendly ingredients and little hands-on time, it’s a reliable dinner solution that still feels homey. The contrast of creamy beef mixture and golden tots gives you the texture and flavor you crave without fuss.
“Simple, cheesy, and perfect for family nights — my kids asked for seconds!”
One tip from experience: this recipe scales well and the flavors actually meld nicely if you make it a day ahead. If you’re looking for more casseroles that stretch the grocery budget, check out this collection of budget-friendly casseroles for inspiration.
How this recipe comes together
In three main steps you’ll brown the beef with onions, fold in the creamy soup and cheese, then top everything with frozen tater tots and more cheddar. The oven does the rest — crisping the tots and melting the cheese into a golden finish. This quick overview helps you scan the workflow before diving into the details.
What you’ll need
1 pound ground beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
16 ounces frozen tater tots
1/2 cup chopped onion
Salt and pepper to taste
Substitutions and notes:
- Swap cream of mushroom with cream of chicken or a homemade white sauce for a milder flavor.
- Use ground turkey or a plant-based ground for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly option (pair with a mushroom-based soup or dairy-free cheese).
- Try pepper jack to add a little heat, or smoked cheddar for a deeper flavor.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Heat a skillet over medium and cook the ground beef with the chopped onion until the beef is fully browned; drain excess fat.
- In a large bowl, stir together the cooked beef, cream of mushroom soup, and half of the shredded cheddar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Grease a baking dish and spread the beef mixture evenly into the dish.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the meat mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar evenly on top of the tater tots.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crisp and the cheese is bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving so it sets and is easier to slice.
Best ways to enjoy it
Serve slices of hot tater tot casserole with a crisp green salad or steamed green beans to balance the richness. For a fresh contrast, a simple coleslaw or cucumber-tomato salad works beautifully. If you’re feeding guests, offer toppings like sour cream, chopped chives, or a sprinkle of hot sauce. For more casserole ideas to rotate into your dinner plan, see these easy chicken casseroles.
Storage and reheating tips
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. To freeze, cool completely, wrap the casserole dish tightly in foil or transfer portions to freezer-safe containers and freeze up to 2 months. Reheat refrigerated portions in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 12–15 minutes or until warmed through; for frozen portions thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Microwaving works for quick reheats, but the oven will restore crispiness to the tater tots.
Helpful cooking tips
- Drain the cooked beef well — excess grease can make the casserole soggy.
- For extra-crispy tots, partially bake them (5–8 minutes) before topping the meat, then finish the casserole in the oven.
- Use a cast-iron or glass baking dish for even cooking; metal pans can brown the bottoms faster.
- Taste the beef mixture before baking and adjust salt and pepper — the cheese and soup can vary in saltiness.
- If you prefer more sauce, stir in 1/4 cup milk or half-and-half to the beef mixture.
Recipe variations
- Mexican twist: add a can of diced green chiles, taco seasoning to the beef, and top with pepper jack and jalapeños.
- Cheesy vegetable boost: fold in frozen peas and carrots to the beef mixture for added color and nutrition.
- BBQ version: mix a few tablespoons of BBQ sauce into the beef and swap cheddar for smoked gouda.
- Lighter swap: use ground turkey, low-fat cheese, and low-sodium soup for a lighter but still hearty casserole.
Your questions answered
Q: Can I assemble this ahead of time?
A: Yes — assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Cover tightly and bake an extra 5–10 minutes if cold from the fridge.
Q: Do I need to thaw the tater tots first?
A: No — use them straight from the freezer. Baking from frozen gives you the best crispy texture.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Use a gluten-free condensed soup (or make a quick roux-based white sauce with gluten-free flour) and verify your frozen tots are gluten-free.
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Tater Tot Casserole
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
A comforting and hearty Tater Tot Casserole combining browned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy tater tots, perfect for busy families.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 16 ounces frozen tater tots
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Heat a skillet over medium and cook the ground beef with the chopped onion until fully browned; drain excess fat.
- In a large bowl, stir together the cooked beef, cream of mushroom soup, and half of the shredded cheddar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Grease a baking dish and spread the beef mixture evenly into the dish.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the meat mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar on top of the tater tots.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crisp and the cheese is bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra-crispy tots, partially bake them before completing the dish. Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg