Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Tater tot casserole with crispy golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese

Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Tater tot casserole is a hearty baked dish made with seasoned ground beef, a creamy soup base, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy golden tater tots on top. It’s an affordable, family-friendly comfort food that comes together in about 45 minutes using simple pantry staples.

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Course: Casserole, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 50

Servings: servings

Calories: 480kcal

Author: Olivia White

Cost: $10

Equipment

large skillet
9x13-inch baking dish
mixing spoon
oven

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced (optional)
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
to taste salt and black pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag (28–32 oz) frozen tater tots

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef (and diced onion if using) until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain excess grease.
Stir in cream of mushroom soup, sour cream (if using), garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and thick.
Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
Arrange frozen tater tots in a single, even layer across the surface.
Bake uncovered for 35–45 minutes, until tater tots are golden brown and crispy. For extra cheese, sprinkle additional cheddar during the last 10 minutes of baking. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy or soggy base. Keep tater tots frozen when assembling to help them crisp properly. Bake uncovered until the tops are golden brown. Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3–4 days or frozen unbaked for up to 2 months. Reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.

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