Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef

Tater tot casserole with ground beef is a hearty baked comfort food made with seasoned ground beef, a creamy soup-based filling, mixed vegetables, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy golden tater tots on top. It’s budget-friendly, family-approved, and perfect for busy weeknights or freezer meals.

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Course: Casserole, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 55

Servings: servings

Calories: 520kcal

Author: Olivia White

Cost: $11

Equipment

large skillet
9x13-inch baking dish
mixing bowl
wooden spoon
oven

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (80/20)
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
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 until browned and fully cooked. Add diced onion and minced garlic during the last few minutes of cooking. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Drain excess grease completely.
In a large bowl, combine cooked beef mixture, cream soup, frozen mixed vegetables, sour cream (if using), and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until evenly mixed and thick.
Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the top.
Arrange frozen tater tots in a single, tight layer across the surface.
Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and crispy. For extra crispiness, increase oven temperature to 425°F for the final 5 minutes. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Always brown and fully cook ground beef to 160°F before layering. Drain excess grease thoroughly to prevent a soggy filling. Keep tater tots frozen during assembly for maximum crispiness. Bake uncovered until golden brown. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat to 165°F before serving.

Nutrition