This classic Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, guaranteed to bring smiles to the dinner table. It’s a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy dish that combines a savory ground beef filling with a creamy sauce, tender green beans, and a perfectly crispy, cheesy tater tot topping. If you’re looking for a simple weeknight meal the whole family will love, you’ve found it. This recipe is straightforward, uses simple ingredients, and delivers that nostalgic taste we all crave.
We’re taking the traditional tater tot hotdish and perfecting it. Forget complicated steps or fancy ingredients; this is all about pure, unadulterated comfort in a baking dish. It’s the kind of meal that makes everyone feel right at home.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Tater Tot Casserole
- Incredibly Simple: With just a few basic steps—brown the beef, mix the filling, and top with tots—dinner is ready for the oven in minutes.
- Family-Friendly Favorite: Kids and adults alike can’t resist the combination of seasoned beef, creamy sauce, and crispy potatoes. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a busy weeknight, a potluck, or a cozy Sunday dinner, this casserole fits the bill.
- Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic base for creativity. You can easily swap veggies, add different cheeses, or spice it up to your liking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Tater Tot Casserole recipe relies on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients to create its signature savory flavor.
For the Beef Filling:
- Lean Ground Beef: We use 1.5 pounds of 90/10 lean ground beef for a rich flavor without excess grease.
- Yellow Onion: One medium onion, finely chopped, adds a sweet, aromatic base.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These provide a deeper, savory flavor foundation.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A key ingredient for adding a complex, umami depth.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the meat perfectly.
For the Creamy Sauce & Topping:
- Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: This is the classic binder that creates a rich, creamy sauce.
- Sour Cream: Adds a slight tang and extra creaminess to the filling.
- Milk: Helps to create the perfect sauce consistency.
- Frozen Cut Green Beans: Thawed and drained, these add a pop of color and nutrition.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: We use sharp cheddar for its bold flavor, mixing some in the filling and saving the rest for the top.
- Frozen Tater Tots: A 32-ounce bag is all you need for that glorious, crispy topping.
Step-by-Step Instructions To Make Tater Tot Casserole
Follow these simple steps to assemble your delicious casserole.
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped yellow onion until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
- Season the Filling: Stir the garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Create the Sauce: Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, thawed green beans, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir everything together until it’s well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Add the Topping: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the beef filling. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Best Tater Tot Casserole
Want to elevate your casserole from great to unforgettable? Here are a few expert tips.
- Don’t Thaw the Tots: For the crispiest possible topping, arrange the tater tots on top while they are still frozen. This helps them bake up golden and crunchy.
- Let It Rest: Allowing the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven is crucial. This lets the sauce set up, making it easier to serve.
- Season Generously: Don’t be shy with the seasonings. The beef and sauce need to be well-seasoned to stand up to the potatoes and cheese. For another hearty meal, check out this Hamburger Supreme Casserole.
Fun Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is a winner, this Tater Tot Casserole is incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas to switch things up:
- Different Meats: Try ground turkey, ground chicken, or even spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- Add More Veggies: Mix in corn, peas, or mixed vegetables instead of or in addition to the green beans.
- Spice It Up: Add a can of diced green chiles, a dash of hot sauce, or a teaspoon of taco seasoning to the beef mixture for a zesty kick. If you enjoy casseroles, you might also like this Low-Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole.
- Change the Soup: Not a fan of cream of mushroom? Cream of chicken, cream of celery, or cheddar cheese soup work wonderfully as substitutes.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This casserole makes for fantastic leftovers. To store, allow it to cool completely, then cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or place the entire casserole back in a 350°F oven until warmed through. The tots will soften upon storage, but a few minutes in the oven can help crisp them up again.
What to Serve with Tater Tot Casserole
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs nicely with a few simple sides. A fresh green salad with a vinaigrette, steamed broccoli, or a side of glazed carrots can round out the meal perfectly. For a truly comforting dinner spread, consider adding a side of cheesy Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can assemble the ground beef filling and sauce in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply top with the frozen tater tots and cheese and add about 10-15 minutes to the total baking time.
The key to crispy tots is to place them on the casserole while they are still frozen. Do not thaw them first. This allows them to cook and crisp up perfectly in the oven’s heat. You can also broil them for a minute or two at the very end, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The best way to reheat is in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, which will help re-crisp the tater tot topping. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
This casserole is very easy to customize. You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or sausage, add other vegetables like corn or peas, or give it a spicy kick with some taco seasoning or canned green chiles.
If you’re not a fan of cream of mushroom, you can easily substitute it with cream of chicken, cream of celery, or even a condensed cheddar cheese soup for an extra cheesy version. Any of these will work well.
Share Your Creations!
We are so excited for you to try this easy and cheesy Tater Tot Casserole recipe! It’s a comforting meal that never disappoints. If you make it, we would love to see it! Please leave a comment below or share a photo of your masterpiece on Pinterest. Your feedback helps us and inspires other home cooks!
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Tater Tot Casserole (The Easiest, Cheesiest Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped yellow onion until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir the garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, thawed green beans, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir everything together until it's well combined.
- Pour the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the beef filling. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Make-ahead tip: Assemble the casserole without the tater tots, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, top with frozen tater tots and add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
