Description
Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and comforting American main course featuring browned ground beef cooked with onions, garlic, and creamy mushroom soup, layered under a crispy blanket of golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for an easy family dinner, this casserole bakes to bubbly, cheesy perfection and can be garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
Topping
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (remaining)
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is tender, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Add Seasonings and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and black pepper, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Combine with Soup, Sour Cream, and Cheese: Mix in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese thoroughly until evenly blended.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Arrange the frozen tater tots tightly in a single layer over the beef mixture.
- Add Cheese Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots. Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to set. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for added color and freshness.
Notes
- For extra nutrition, add frozen mixed vegetables or green beans to the beef mixture before assembling.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup to vary the flavor.
- To achieve a crispier top, broil the casserole for the last 2–3 minutes of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
