Description
Hearty Tater Tot Casserole brings comfort food magic to dinner tables with layers of seasoned ground beef, crispy potato crowns, and melted cheese. Midwestern families cherish this simple, satisfying dish that you’ll want to savor with friends and loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
Vegetables and Tater Tots:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bag (32 ounces or 907 grams) frozen tater tots
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, or any favorite spices
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even cooking.
- In a large skillet, thoroughly brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles for even texture.
- Incorporate diced onions into the beef, sautéing until they become translucent and release their aromatic flavors.
- Season the beef mixture with salt, pepper, and optional spices like garlic powder, creating a robust foundation of flavor.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Gently fold cream of mushroom soup and sour cream into the beef, creating a rich and creamy base that binds the ingredients.
- Prepare a casserole dish by lightly greasing the surface to prevent sticking.
- Spread the beef and cream mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish, creating a uniform layer.
- Generously sprinkle the first portion of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Carefully arrange frozen tater tots in a single, overlapping layer on top of the cheese, creating a crispy potato topping.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots turn golden brown and crisp.
- Remove the casserole and immediately top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and become wonderfully bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by using high-quality ground beef with a higher fat content for more richness and juiciness.
- Customize seasoning by experimenting with spice blends like taco seasoning or Italian herbs to create unique taste profiles.
- Swap tater tots with hash browns or cauliflower tots for lower-carb or gluten-free alternatives that maintain the casserole’s comforting texture.
- Prep ahead by assembling the casserole in advance and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg