Ultimate Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
This Ultimate Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring browned ground beef, tender onions, optional mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and a golden crispy tater tot topping with melted cheddar cheese, perfect for an easy family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (optional)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey until fully cooked. Add the chopped onion and cook until tender. Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables, if using, and cook for a few minutes to heat through.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the can of cream of mushroom soup and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Casserole: Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the meat and vegetable mixture evenly in the bottom of the dish. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top, then sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey instead of beef.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like diced bell peppers or corn for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Use low-fat cheddar cheese to reduce fat content.
- Make sure to spread tater tots in a single layer for even crispiness.
- Let the casserole rest before serving to set and make serving easier.
