Name: Tater Tots Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 small onion, diced; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup; ½ cup sour cream; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, and green beans); 3 cups frozen tater tots; 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

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If you love comfort food that brings everyone to the table with big smiles, you’re in for a treat. This Tater Tots Casserole is the ultimate weeknight winner — a cozy, bubbly blend of ground beef, melty cheddar, savory veggies, and crispy tater tots all in one irresistible bake. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving a nostalgic classic, this hearty casserole wraps you in a warm hug of flavor and simplicity. Trust me, this is one of those dishes that disappears fast, and you’ll be asked for the recipe over and over again.

Tater Tots Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed how such simple, familiar ingredients can create something so magical! Each one plays a key role, contributing richness, crunch, color, or creaminess — all the things that make this Tater Tots Casserole recipe so irresistible.

Ground Beef (1 pound): The hearty foundation of your casserole, bringing protein and tons of savory flavor.
Small Onion, diced (1): Adds gentle sweetness and depth that meld beautifully with the beef.
Garlic Cloves, minced (2): Just a couple cloves create a savory base note that lifts the whole dish.
Cream of Mushroom Soup (1 can, 10.5 ounces): The creamy binder that ties everything together and infuses richness.
Sour Cream (½ cup): Offers tang and a luxurious, velvety texture — don’t skip it!
Worcestershire Sauce (1 tablespoon): For that special depth, umami, and a hint of zip.
Salt (1 teaspoon) and Black Pepper (½ teaspoon): Seasoning essentials to balance and highlight the flavors.
Frozen Mixed Vegetables (2 cups): These colorful veggies (peas, carrots, corn, and green beans) sneak in nutrition and keep each bite interesting.
Frozen Tater Tots (3 cups): The iconic topping — crisp, golden potatoes make this casserole crave-worthy.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (1½ cups): Melts into gooey, cheesy perfection and adds a gorgeous finish.

How to Make Tater Tots Casserole

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick greasing—either with nonstick spray or a light brush of oil. This little bit of prep ensures that delicious bubbly filling and crispy tots won’t stick, making serving (and cleanup) a breeze.

Step 2: Cook the Beef, Onion, and Garlic

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and crumbly, about 6-7 minutes. You want everything nicely browned for deeper flavor. Drain any excess fat, then toss in the minced garlic and cook for just a minute—it’ll smell fantastic and bring out even more flavor.

Step 3: Add the Creaminess and Flavor Boosters

With your skillet still warm, stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until it’s creamy and evenly blended. This step is where the magic happens; the sauce becomes incredibly savory and rich, ready to hug every morsel.

Step 4: Stir in the Veggies

Pour in those frozen mixed vegetables and give the mixture a good stir. No need to thaw the veggies — they’ll cook up tender and colorful in the oven while keeping their vibrant bite. This is what makes a Tater Tots Casserole feel wholesome and satisfying, all in one dish.

Step 5: Assemble in the Baking Dish

Transfer your creamy beef and veggie mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. It’s looking hearty already! Now, top the entire surface with frozen tater tots, making sure they’re evenly distributed for maximum crunch in every bite.

Step 6: Add Cheddar and Bake

Sprinkle the cheddar cheese generously over the tater tots. Pop the dish, uncovered, into your preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown on top and the cheese is bubbly and melted. The kitchen will smell amazing, signaling dinner is almost ready.

Step 7: Serve Hot and Enjoy!

Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before scooping generous portions onto plates. The layers will hold together better and nobody burns their tongue in excitement. Serve this glorious Tater Tots Casserole piping hot—each bite is cheesy, crispy, and all kinds of comforting!

How to Serve Tater Tots Casserole

Garnishes

Fresh, flavorful toppings add the perfect finishing touch. Try a sprinkle of chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color and freshness. For those who love a little kick, a drizzle of hot sauce or a dusting of smoked paprika works wonders. Even a dollop of extra sour cream on each plate can make your Tater Tots Casserole feel extra special.

Side Dishes

This casserole is a meal by itself, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or simple steamed broccoli balances the richness beautifully. If you’re feeding a hungry crowd, offer some crusty bread on the side to soak up every last creamy bite. A pitcher of iced tea or lemonade adds the final, easygoing touch to your family dinner spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Serving Tater Tots Casserole for a party? Spoon it into small ramekins for adorable individual portions. Or try making mini casseroles in muffin tins for a grab-and-go option at potlucks and game days. For kids, let them sprinkle their own cheese and toppings—everyone gets their favorite combination!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, cover leftovers tightly with foil or transfer to airtight containers. They’ll keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheating is simple, and the flavors just seem to get cozier overnight.

Freezing

If you’d like to prep ahead, assemble the casserole right up until the baking step, then cover well and freeze for up to 2 months. To freeze already cooked leftovers, divide them into single-serve containers. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

For crisp-topped results, reheat your Tater Tots Casserole in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 20 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, microwave individual portions, though the tots won’t be quite as crunchy (but still delicious!).

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken both work beautifully in this Tater Tots Casserole. Just keep an eye on the seasoning, since these lighter meats may benefit from a little extra salt, pepper, or spices to bring out their best.

Are there swaps for cream of mushroom soup?

Yes! Cream of chicken soup is a fantastic alternative if that’s what you have on hand, or you just prefer a different flavor. Even a homemade white sauce with a touch of bouillon can stand in well.

Do the tater tots need to be thawed first?

No thawing needed! Place the tater tots on top straight from the freezer. This helps them bake up perfectly crisp and golden, exactly how you want them in your Tater Tots Casserole.

Can I assemble this casserole ahead of time?

Definitely. You can prep the casserole, cover, and store it in your fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes it fantastic for easy weeknight meals or stress-free entertaining.

What’s the best way to keep the casserole crispy?

Bake uncovered and be generous when spreading out the tater tots in a single layer. For extra crispiness, you can broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes of baking, but keep an eye on it so the cheese doesn’t burn!

Final Thoughts

You truly can’t go wrong with a dish as inviting as Tater Tots Casserole. It’s hearty, customizable, and sure to win over even the pickiest eaters. Give it a try soon — I promise it’ll find a spot in your rotation and bring a little extra joy to your family table!

Tater Tots Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Tater Tots Casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that combines ground beef, creamy sauce, mixed vegetables, crispy tater tots, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a cozy family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Ground Beef Mixture:

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced

Sauce:

1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
½ cup sour cream
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Add-ins:

2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, and green beans)

Toppings:

3 cups frozen tater tots
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook ground beef mixture: In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Add garlic and cook. Stir in soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
Add vegetables and assemble: Mix in frozen vegetables and transfer mixture to baking dish. Top with tater tots and cheddar cheese.
Bake: Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until tater tots are crispy and cheese is melted.
Serve: Enjoy hot!