Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

This incredibly comforting Tater Tot Casserole brings together seasoned ground beef, crispy golden tater tots, and gooey melted cheese in one delicious dish that’ll have your family rushing to the dinner table. It’s the ultimate weeknight wonder that combines nostalgic flavors with modern convenience—perfect for busy evenings when you need something satisfying and crowd-pleasing without spending hours in the kitchen!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ground Beef: The hearty protein base that provides richness and substance. Feel free to substitute with ground turkey for a lighter option.
• Seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, salt, dried basil, pepper): This perfect blend transforms plain ground beef into something truly flavorful without requiring fresh herbs or complicated spice mixes.
• Green Beans: Adds a pop of color and sneaks in some vegetables. The mild flavor blends beautifully with the other ingredients.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates that creamy, binding texture that holds everything together. It’s the secret to the casserole’s comforting consistency.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Don’t skimp here! The sharp variety adds the perfect tangy flavor that makes this dish sing. The golden melty topping is what dreams are made of.
• Sour Cream: Adds a subtle tanginess and creamy richness that elevates the entire dish.
• Ketchup and Soy Sauce: These might seem unexpected, but they add depth and umami that takes this casserole from good to amazing.
• Tater Tots: The star of the show! They create that perfect crispy crown on top while soaking up flavors from below. Keep them frozen until baking for the best texture.

Variations

Want to customize your tater tot casserole? Here are some delicious twists:

• Breakfast Version: Swap the ground beef for breakfast sausage and add scrambled eggs to the mixture. Top with tater tots and cheese for a morning casserole.
• Mexican-Inspired: Add taco seasoning to the beef instead of the standard seasonings, mix in some black beans and corn, and top with a Mexican cheese blend.
• Veggie-Packed: Incorporate sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions to add more vegetables and flavor dimensions.
• Buffalo Chicken: Replace the beef with shredded rotisserie chicken tossed in buffalo sauce for a spicy variation.

How to Make Tater Tot Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Beef Mixture

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain excess grease, then season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, dried basil, and pepper. This seasoned beef creates the flavorful foundation for your casserole.

Step 2: Create the Casserole Base

In a large bowl, combine the drained green beans, cream of chicken soup, 1 cup of shredded cheese, sour cream, ketchup, and soy sauce. Add the seasoned ground beef and mix everything together until well incorporated. This mixture creates a savory, creamy base that will bubble up around the tater tots.

Step 3: Assemble Your Casserole

Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly in your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Take your frozen tater tots (don’t thaw them!) and arrange in a single layer covering the entire surface. The tots need to be frozen so they maintain their shape and crisp up properly during baking.

Step 4: First Bake

Place the uncovered casserole in your preheated 375°F oven and bake for 25 minutes. This initial bake gets the filling hot and bubbling while starting to crisp up the tater tots.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Finish Baking

Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of cheese over the tater tots. Return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is completely melted, the tater tots are golden brown, and the sides are bubbling. That golden cheese top is what seals in all the delicious flavors beneath!

How to Serve

This versatile casserole works beautifully with simple sides that balance its richness:

Simple Sides:

Pair with a crisp garden salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to contrast the casserole’s creaminess.

Veggie Options:

Steamed broccoli or roasted Brussels sprouts provide a healthy balance to this comforting dish.

Condiment Additions:

Set out small bowls of sour cream, sliced green onions, or hot sauce for everyone to customize their portions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld and improve overnight, making leftovers sometimes even better than the first serving!

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! You can freeze the entire assembled casserole (before baking) for up to 3 months. Alternatively, freeze portioned leftovers in individual containers for quick lunches or dinners.

Reheating

For best results, reheat refrigerated leftovers in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. This helps maintain the tater tots’ crispiness better than microwave reheating. If reheating from frozen, add an extra 20-30 minutes to the baking time.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Tater Tot Casserole is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of comfort food that brings families together around the table. With its golden crispy top, savory filling, and crowd-pleasing flavors, it’s bound to become a regular in your dinner rotation. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a weeknight or looking for something satisfying to bring to a potluck, this casserole delivers every time. Give it a try tonight, and watch how quickly it disappears!

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