Description

This classic tater tot casserole is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, hearty, and topped with crispy tater tots. It’s a family-friendly, budget-friendly dinner that comes together quickly and is perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

32 oz frozen tater tots (about 1 bag)
1 lb ground beef
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup frozen mixed veggies (peas, carrots, corn)
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Butter or cooking spray (for greasing baking dish)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
In a large bowl, combine cooked beef/onion mixture, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, mixed veggies, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until evenly mixed.
Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the filling.
Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, until tater tots are golden brown and casserole is bubbling around the edges. For extra crispy tots, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
Let casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow filling to set.

Notes

For best results, use frozen tater tots straight from the freezer for a crispy topping. You can customize the casserole by swapping proteins, adding extra veggies, or changing up the cheese. Let the casserole rest before serving for cleaner slices. Leftovers reheat best in the oven for maximum crispiness. Easily adapted for gluten-free or dairy-free diets by using appropriate substitutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 casserole
Calories: 350
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 900
Fat: 19
Saturated Fat: 9
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 3
Protein: 17

Keywords: tater tot casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, ground beef casserole, weeknight dinner, potluck recipe