Description
Hearty midwest tater tot casserole delivers classic comfort with ground beef, creamy sauce, and crispy potato topping. Cheesy layers and simple ingredients make this dish a family favorite you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bag (32 oz or 907 g) frozen tater tots
- 1 lb (453 g) ground beef
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz or 298 g) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- ½ small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- 2 tbsps chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Meat Foundation: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef with onions until meat is fully cooked and onions are translucent, then drain excess fat.
- Flavor Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing briefly to release aromatic essence, then incorporate cream of mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper, stirring until sauce achieves a smooth consistency.
- Assembly: Pour seasoned meat mixture into prepared baking dish, creating an even base layer, then systematically arrange frozen tater tots in a complete surface coverage to form a crispy potato topping.
- Baking Process: Transfer casserole to preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, monitoring until tater tots develop a rich, golden-brown crust and edges become slightly crisp.
- Resting Stage: Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes, enabling internal temperatures to stabilize and flavors to harmonize before serving.
Notes
- Control Meat Moisture: Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a soggy casserole base and ensure a crisp texture.
- Layer Strategically: Spread meat mixture evenly and arrange tater tots in a single, uniform layer for consistent cooking and maximum crispiness.
- Customize Protein Options: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for dietary variations and healthier alternatives.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Experiment with additional seasonings like smoked paprika, dried herbs, or a splash of hot sauce to elevate the casserole’s taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg