Description
This classic Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring seasoned ground beef and creamy mushroom soup layered with crispy tater tots and melted Cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole combines easy-to-find ingredients with straightforward steps for a satisfying meal that’s baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Base
- 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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to ready it for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crumbly, about 7 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add Soup and Seasonings: Stir the condensed cream of mushroom soup into the cooked ground beef. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste, mixing until fully combined to create the casserole base.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it evenly. Arrange the frozen tater tots in an even layer on top of the beef mixture. Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and cooked through, and the cheese has melted and started to brown.
Notes
- For added flavor, you can mix in finely chopped onions or garlic with the ground beef while cooking.
- Make sure to thaw the tater tots slightly before baking to ensure even cooking, or adjust baking time as needed.
- If you prefer a crispier cheese topping, switch to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Use low-sodium soup and adjust salt accordingly for lower sodium content.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just increase baking time by a few minutes if baking chilled.
