This Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole is the epitome of comfort food! It’s hearty, savory, and loaded with cheesy goodness. A mix of seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy tater tots comes together beautifully for a family-friendly meal or a perfect potluck dish. If you love easy, filling casseroles, this one’s for you!
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 package (32 oz) frozen tater tots
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened.
Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well until fully combined.
Spread the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Top the beef mixture with a layer of frozen tater tots.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Storage/Reheating
For leftovers, I store the casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, I simply pop it back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until it’s heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for a quicker option, though the oven will help keep the tater tots crispy.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes! While cheddar is classic, you can easily swap it for mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even a blend of cheeses for a different flavor profile.
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of tater tots?
While tater tots give the dish a crispy texture, you can certainly use fresh potatoes. If you cut them into small cubes and bake or fry them first, they’ll work well, but the texture will be slightly different.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole ahead of time, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to a day before baking. Just be sure to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if you’re baking it from cold.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, this casserole freezes well! Once it’s baked, allow it to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake it from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for about 45-60 minutes.
Can I make this vegetarian?
For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the ground beef with a plant-based alternative like lentils or crumbled veggie protein. You can also add more vegetables like peas or bell peppers for extra flavor and texture.
Conclusion
This Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting dish that’s sure to be a hit at your dinner table. It’s easy to prepare, customizable to your taste, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether for a busy weeknight dinner or a potluck, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Give it a try, and I’m sure it’ll become a new favorite!
Recipe:
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Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole is the epitome of comfort food, featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy tater tots topped with melted cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 package (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well until fully combined.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top the beef mixture with a layer of frozen tater tots.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
You can substitute the cheddar cheese with mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a blend of cheeses.
If you want to use fresh potatoes instead of tater tots, cube and bake or fry them first for a similar texture.
This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a day before baking.
This dish can be frozen for up to 3 months; bake from frozen for about 45-60 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with lentils or plant-based protein, and add extra vegetables like peas or bell peppers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
