Description
A classic, comforting Tater Tot Casserole featuring a savory ground beef and mushroom soup base, topped with crispy golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a family dinner and combines rich flavors with a crispy texture for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/3 cup sour cream (or milk)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 24-32 ounces frozen Tater Tots (enough to fill the casserole dish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef Mixture: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring and crumbling the beef, until the meat is no longer pink and onions are softened.
- Mix in Cream Soup and Seasonings: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream (or milk), Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the beef mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture. Then, arrange an even layer of frozen Tater Tots on top to cover the entire surface.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the Tater Tots are golden brown and crispy, and the filling is bubbling hot.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt or milk as preferred.
- Ensure the Tater Tots are spread evenly for uniform crisping during baking.
- You can add extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture for added nutrition.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking cold.
- Use reduced-fat cheese and lean ground beef to make this dish lower in fat content.
