Description
This hearty Tater Tot Casserole is a classic comfort food recipe that combines savory ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, crispy tater tots, and melted Cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and bakes to golden-brown perfection in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (16 ounce) package frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all ingredients including ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, salt, black pepper, tater tots, and Cheddar cheese.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and let it fully preheat while you prepare the other steps.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring frequently until fully browned and crumbly, about 7 to 10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- 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 according to your taste. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef and soup mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it 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. Bake uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and heated through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your comforting Tater Tot Casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For a vegetarian version, replace meat with cooked lentils or a meat substitute and use a mushroom soup that is vegetarian.
- Feel free to add vegetables like chopped onions, bell peppers, or peas to the beef mixture for added flavor and nutrition.
- Make sure to drain the cooked beef well to avoid soggy casserole.
- Check the casserole about halfway through baking to ensure the tots are browning evenly; rotate the dish if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
