Description
This classic Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Ground beef is cooked with cream of mushroom soup and seasoned with salt and pepper, then topped with frozen tater tots and cheddar cheese before baking to golden perfection. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing casserole that combines crispy tater tots with a creamy, savory beef mixture.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Topping
- 1 (16 ounce) package frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all your necessary ingredients including ground beef, condensed cream of mushroom soup, salt, ground black pepper, frozen tater tots, and shredded Cheddar cheese to ensure everything is ready.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook it, stirring frequently, until fully browned and crumbly, about 7 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add Soup and Seasoning: Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup with the cooked beef. Season the mixture with salt and ground black pepper to your taste, mixing everything evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef and soup mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture, then sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes. Bake until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this warm, hearty Tater Tot Casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup for a slightly different flavor.
- For a healthier version, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey.
- Add diced onions or green bell peppers to the beef mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- If you prefer extra crispy tater tots, you can broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
