Tater Tot Beef Casserole (Print Version)

Savory ground beef and veggies topped with crispy tater tots baked until golden and cheesy.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

→ Dairy & Sauces

05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

→ Topping

08 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
12 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)

# How-To:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Add cream of mushroom soup and milk; stir until evenly combined and heated through. Season with salt, black pepper, and paprika if using.
06 - Remove from heat and mix in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
08 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the mixture.
09 - Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
10 - Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over tater tots, then bake another 5 to 10 minutes until cheese melts and tots are golden brown.
11 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the ultimate comfort food that comes together in under an hour, perfect for those nights when you need something warm and satisfying but have zero energy for fancy cooking
  • The crispy tater tot topping creates this incredible texture contrast with the creamy, seasoned beef underneath that makes every bite feel like a hug
  • This recipe feeds a crowd with minimal effort and somehow tastes even better as leftovers, if there are any
02 -
  • Letting the casserole rest for 510 minutes after baking is crucial, otherwise itll be too runny and the pieces wont hold together when you scoop
  • I learned the hard way that tots placed too close together steam instead of crisp, so give them a little breathing room in that single layer
  • The cheese layer on top can go from perfectly melted to burnt in seconds, so watch closely during those final minutes
03 -
  • Season each layer as you go, not just at the end, for the most flavorful result
  • If your family loves crispy tots, arrange them vertically in rows instead of laying them flat for maximum surface area
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